We are not alone...

Anyone like me think the world has gone mad? This week in particular has been a weird one, what with lockdown coming in, the most mind blowing US election and not to mention Brexit bubbling in the background. My TV has been on all day every day in the background, just in case some breaking news came in, although I don't really know why I was so transfixed. Maybe its because we are all so very insular within our homes and bubbles at the moment, that to watch things going on across the world reminds us that there is a world out there? Anyway whatever the reason, by the end of last night I decided enough was enough… it is doing me no good at all and so this weekend it is absolutely all about Remembrance Day crafting and memories.

If you have been following my social media channels you will know that my village of Denbury has been flooded with pebbles painted with poppies, hidden around the area (and some covered with my poppy fabrics!) so that they can be found and taken to the Remembrance memorial in the centre of the village. Over the last few days the pile of pebbles at the memorial has grown and it is incredible to see them lying there. Every single decorated pebble is a reminder that there is a person behind it, every single one is different and goes a little way in telling the story of the person behind it. Some even have the names of fallen soldiers on them, a poignant reminder of why we are doing this and an amazing way to start the conversation, especially with the younger generations as to why we don't forget this every year.

The pile of pebbles confirms to me that there is a community behind these closed doors, each
experiencing these weird times in a different way and yet all of us still coming together in our corner of Devon, through these pebbles. It is also a reminder that being creative is so important for your mental health; your wellbeing and keeping your mind active. I remember the Christmas card making days at the kitchen table, glitter everywhere, sticky glue and the outcome - a card that Grandma or Auntie or whoever it was for would pour over with glee on receiving it, even though they ended up covered in glitter and bits of decor that fell off occasionally!

Now we are settling into this new kind of lockdown, let's get creative. Get out for a walk and find a pebble, take it home and decorate it then hide it again outside for someone else to find. Start making those Christmas cards with whatever you can find in the house to make them with. Think outside the box. And don't forget to make a poppy, draw a poppy and put it up somewhere to Remember over these coming days.