Amid talk of a second wave of coronavirus, make your lives extraordinary while you can – Crooked Spire vicar’s column

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may – Old Time is still a-flying! This was a quote I heard often in sixth-form literature classes, since it is echoed in so very much writing of the past.
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Yet reading much that is written today leaves me wondering whether a certain section of society has gone into collective depression or mourning, presumably because they’ve finally discovered that little or no human experience can be easily rationalised or controlled and corralled into neat computer-friendly categories. Life is simply not like that – never has been; never will be.

The latest warning from the prophets of doom is that we need to plan for a second wave of Covid-19 (although if there is a second wave I think it’s more likely to be Covid-19 Mark II, or even Covid-20) just in time for a Christmas lockdown.

Reverend Patrick Coleman.Reverend Patrick Coleman.
Reverend Patrick Coleman.
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They may be right; they may be wrong – who knows? They certainly don’t – and if there is a second wave, then we will all have to face up to it when it comes, and maybe ensure we plan better for it than we did for the first one!

But in the meantime there is actually life to be got on with – giving up and putting everything on hold is not an option.

Just over 30 years ago, after my mother received a terminal diagnosis, we decided that she was still up to a final big experience.

I was studying in Munich at the time and I flew home, drove her across to Munich, spent a few weeks there while I attended seminars and worked in the library, and then drove back home to Wales.

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She saw parts of France, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands that she had always wanted to see.

I shall not forget walking through the Oude Kerke quarter of Amsterdam, and having my own mother explain to me why there were girls sitting in the windows...

The whole trip did her no harm (though some of it was not especially easy) and it lightened and cheered her on her way.

If, having come out of lockdown, we are to face more of the same, then now is the time to lighten up and fit in a bit of life and joy while we have time – and of course taking care not to make the situation worse while we do so.

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Depression is a serious illness, and those who live with it are in need of all the help and support we as a society can offer – but we help no one if we immerse everyone and everything in the fog of stifling gloom.

Communal depression is not an option – the rosebuds are still there; life can be good; setbacks are no more than that.

Now is the time to dust ourselves off and build up a little of the immune response of joy against whatever we are going to have to face together in the future.

From Horace to Herrick – Robin Williams saw what all those ‘dead poets’ had to say, and in the film he passed it on to his pupils thus: Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.

Keep safe and keep well.

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