Hoping for the best, planning for the worst

Everything seems to have got a whole lot more serious and more threatening over the last few days. Trying to work out what to do for the best has filled my head but yesterdays UK governments advice to avoid all non-essential travel and to limit social interaction made one decision for me. It is with a sense of great sadness that I’m postponing, and in some cases cancelling, my workshops and talks through to the end of April. Of course I may have to do the same for May and beyond but, for now, I am hoping that the governments measures help stem the transmission of corona virus.

We have to hope for the best. It is what will keep us going. But we also need to plan for the worst. My income will suffer a bit but we have savings so we will not be faced with the financial crisis that so many families will be facing. We have food (and toilet roll!) to keep us going and will be able to pay the silly prices that I’m sure we will soon see in supermarkets. And we have a big enough house with enough bathrooms that we can take extra care of my husband who is ‘at risk’. I worry about my son in London and my daughter in Glasgow. I wish they were nearer but know that they have the means to get through this. So I am one of the lucky ones!

My heart goes out to all those that are not so lucky. I’d like to think that our governments will come through for them but suspect it will be down to all of us to find ways to help.

Those of you who read this blog regularly will know that I take great solace in working in my studio. I plan on finishing a quilt that I will submit to Fine Art Textile Awards and will work on that online shop I’ve been talking about for a while. Fine Art might not happen and who knows how long the post offices will stay open but I’m going to work on the assumption that we get through this quickly. I’m hoping for the best having sorted my planning for the worst.

With love and all my best wishes, stay safe, Leah x