Huge thanks to all keeping the country still going
On Thursday at 7:58pm I was readying myself to step out of my home, hoping to join the chorus of people clapping for our carers.
I hadn’t been outside almost AT ALL for a week. I was nervous, anxious, and shaking.
So, at 8pm, I ventured outside, cautiously and gingerly taking baby-steps, onto my front drive, I – selfishly – didn’t want to look foolish being the only person outside clapping, so I walked out very slowly.
The first thing I heard was the banging of pots and pans, then the clapping, whistling and cheering. It lasted for five minutes, and it left me feeling very emotional, as it is writing this.
As per a condition that I have, I am not working through the virus, so I had to be careful how far I went, but the turn out around Hundred Road, Bronze Street, and a part of Norwood Road was very humbling. A number of residents came out, those that could.
They banged, clapped, cheered and whistled.
Still too many cars driving past though, there was no need for it.
But, whilst the clap was originally with our NHS angels at the forefront of our minds, it has now become a thank you to EVERYBODY keeping the country going.
The shop-workers, distribution centre staff, and delivery drivers. Those that keep the power on, the water running, and the trains as well, also the staff keeping train stations clean. The bus and taxi drivers still working.
The factory workers producing our food, and those that make the packaging. The refuse collectors, street cleaners, police and fire personnel, we are so very thankful for so many lifesavers.
YOU ALL MAKE BRITAIN GREAT.
The biggest mention, and final thought, has to go to those, with potentially the riskiest jobs, and they are the postal delivery people, from the collection staff to the bag handlers, to the depots, the sorting office workers, and the post deliverers themselves, those that could infect themselves at a single touch of any gate, door knocker, bell, or letterbox.
You are our glue, you hold us together. Thank you and good luck to you all.
To everyone else? Just hold your loved ones a little tighter over the next few weeks.
Ashley Smith
March
