List five things you do for fun.
Over the COVID lockdown, which now seems so faraway and surreal, I started appreciating the time I had for myself. My dad, my pooch at the time- Loki, and I, found the lockdown somewhat cathartic.
I don’t want to say that I was happy about COVID, because I wasn’t. Too many people died and too many families suffered heartbreak. What I came to appreciate was the slowing down of things as a result of the lockdown.
I started having time to enjoy breakfast with my dad. There were great discussions over brekkie and it somehow set me up for the rest of the day. My dad passed away a couple of years ago, and I no longer have that time with him, but I absolutely enjoy the quiet of the morning, when I get to go on walks with my present pooch- Gamora, or even when we play ball in the garden. I feel like I have time to recount the day past and plan for the day ahead and for a reflective, organiser like me, this is a beautiful thing. Maybe it’s not everyone’s sense of ‘fun’ but I love it and am loathe to give it up.
Another thing that is fun is spending time with little Gamora. I love our walks together. When Gamora walks into the park, her bum starts wiggling, her ears flap, and she has the biggest, broadest smile on her face. She’s interested in every smell or movement. She’s on to everything in a flash and there’s so much joy in this bouncy little girl. I love it when we play ball at home. She has her own rules, which she communicates quite efficiently. She’s also great to watch – whether she’s out doing what feels like security patrols in the garden, chasing birds, or when she’s lolling about indoors playing with her toys. She makes such guttural sounds of enjoyment and contentment which I absolutely love.
I’m terribly conscious of the fact that I’m probably contradicting lots of people’s idea of what is ‘fun!’ But I am finding so much joy in these new ideals I have for what is fun!
I love having friends over! I especially love it when it’s small groups where everyone knows everyone. I enjoy planning menus and prepping food – I love it. There’s a kind of peace I feel as I plan and prep. And I cannot explain it – except that I’m my element in each of these stages. It’s also brilliant watching Gamora interact with our guests. She has special greetings and playing styles for different ones.
Something that I think is so fun now is pitting myself against myself to try and finish reading books. I’ve already finished two books this January and have started on a third. That has stuff that I need to work out as I go along and I’m contemplating starting the fourth book as I do this. I’m enjoying going back to reading.
The fifth but not the last thing I enjoy doing for fun is chatting with friends. Sometimes we meet outside, sometimes they come over, or we talk on the phone or over video calls. I’ve come to love this so very much. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I no longer have my father with me and these conversations have ended. I’m finding a sense of enjoyment and fulfilment in these different conversations. Really am glad for these things!
Grace for the soul 