Poem: 'Friends, I see you!'

Written by Victoria Chin. I wish you restorative sleep, moments of joy and peaceful calm.

Every hour we complete our to-do list and errands
we reach new heights of productivity, going to and from remembering to pee. 
How many things have you piled high, on errands to the pharmacy to pick up meds?
Or to go get milk when the last drops are unpredictably used up…aka comforting via extra mug of hot chocolate or Ovaltine or tea?

Who needs new tech or software to tell us how to be more productive
when our arms and legs are aching and we still can’t get a solid night of sleep?
We take comfort via the empathy of others who are doing exactly the same thing
Getting through, fuelled by caffeine or relaxing through wine
We can never regain, capture that elusive thing called time.

Sweet molasses of relief, 
when the list is complete 
brings an ecstasy bittersweet
lightness of stress-relief
finally no expectations, release
and then remember - geez I need to pee!

Now we can finally try to lie-in
avoid make-up and only wear soft cosy comfortable untrendy clothes
who knew playing hermit could be like being a princess without the ‘show’
the bliss of roll over, or no-fear of the doorbell ringing
Is like Santa Claus bringing a gift early
Makes me feel like singing!

Merry Christmas! Especially to the UK’s Unpaid Carers and caregivers everywhere.

Wishing you calm, smooth, healthy times with joy and restorative sleep.

Small, gentle, quiet stability epitomises our definition of success. So I hope we can all live inside the moments of imperfect human connection, create heartfelt memories, laugh at the silliest inside jokes and capture the best impromptu photos for later.

You are seen. You are not alone in all this. Big hugs of empathy