Judith Proctor's Journal

 My post-funeral resolution is to get back in touch with friends I've missed.

I was touched by how much Dad's friends in his retirement flats missed him.  One lady spoke with real feeling about how he'd persuaded her to learn how to use Zoom during lockdown - they'd sat far apart in a corridor while he talked her through it.

They then used Zoom regularly during lockdown to talk to each other.

I've lost touch with a lot of friends, first lockdown, and then two years of almost continuous pain.

The pain's not totally gone, the trip to the funeral did trigger it again, but not too badly.
So, I'm starting to organise myself.

I don't see my friend Trudy often enough, so we've just arranged to meet up once a week for melodeon practice.

I've phoned my old friend Janet (she first knocked on my door over 40 years ago as a Jehovah's Witness - I never converted, but we did become good friends).  I'm going to see her next week. 

I'm going to phone Lexin (she was out yesterday) - too far away to visit, but I've always enjoyed talking to her.

Meeting up with Danielle (friend I made through morris) - having lunch in Broadstone. I can cycle there.

Once I'm well enough to drive, I'm going to have lunch with Pam. She's a dear friend, but getting frail now, and if I'm not careful, we'll lose touch because of that. She's been a fantastic support to me over the years, and I owe  her.

I've told my Ukrainian friends that I'm back teaching English again now I've said farewell to Dad and am over the worst of the emotional fallout. 

Once I'm finally able to drive reliably, I'll be able to see Anonymous Morris again.  It's been a long break from dancing, and I'm really missing them.  They've got a whole new dance that I may never get a chance to learn...

At least I still have the sword dance team.  I can walk to their practice - and the dances are a brisk walk rather than a step hop, which means I can do  bit of dancing as well as teaching.

KerrAvonsen, if you're reading this.  If you can't sleep, you can always call me in the middle of the night - If I'm busy, I'll tell you, but if I'm not (which is more likely), I'm always happy to chat.