Well, what an Odd Year this has Been

Just before Covid-19 came So that, for once, was not to blame We’d planned a trip for Phil’s birthday Just a short time to get away

Up to Carlisle we’d booked to go For surely, how were we to know On that weekend, there’d come a storm Of which forecasters did inform

We did still try to get us But very soon became aware On a train just leaving London It wouldn’t go beyond Preston

So our journey began to drag And our enthusiasm flag We found it was not meant to be We just got as far as Rugby

So luckily it was for us That we didn’t have any fuss As Phil’s kind parents took us in When our plans went in the bin!

Soon after, I’m glad to report We managed to get to Stockport It was only a weekend break But a lovely change it did make

Since then, what an odd year it’s been So many things before unseen We learnt how to work in new ways And often rearranged our days

When in March, how much things did change And life became so very strange We had no choice but work from home As we were told we should not roam

Things we had taken for granted From our lives sadly departed The places that we used to go The routines that we used to know

We were no longer fully free Our friends and family to see The ones that our hearts held so dear Could no longer with us be near

So what is it that we have done In this time that’s not been much fun What’s new that we’ve come to embrace As we’ve mainly stayed in one place

All our work meetings went online If connections were working fine Church also went to internet As there we virtually met

Luke could no longer come to tea At home alone he had to be Mary with her parents did speak By a video call once a week

We exercised just once each day Often cycled quite a long way We went into the countryside So t’was a solitary ride

The world did seem a quieter place As nature was given more space We wondered at God’s creation And gave to Him adoration

Mary’s birthday trip had been planned But, by then, all travel was banned So we celebrated, us two Went for a bike ride, nothing new!

Into May, the weather was fine Twenty-five miles then work at nine Then Mary had her accident Which for two months no riding meant

Phil’s gran and Mary’s mum got sick Deteriorated quite quick Sadly, we had to say goodbye As it came time for them to die

Preparations were quite a test As we laid both of them to rest The funerals had to be small Indoors we could not sing at all

The summer it seemed to drag on As to Ireland we had not gone Many restrictions were in place Oh, that that needn’t be the case!

In September we got away To Plymouth for a holiday We travelled by bike and train Social-distancing did maintain

Manchester too, for a weekend Luke, with us, did to there attend It was a pretty simple break But a great change for us did make

Meanwhile, Mary at home did work Phil in the office, a great perk Even if only thrice a week That time there he really did seek

We saw Phil’s family once or twice When that wasn’t against advice And now the year draws near its end So to you these greetings we send!