Tempus fugitive … or not!

They say ‘time flies when you’re having fun’. How on earth is it the end of October already? Fun has been a little thin on the ground for many of us. In my opinion time is an odd thing. Is it a constant or a variable? Einstein argued that the only true constant is the speed of light – time running faster or slower depending on how high you are (not chemically induced) and how fast you are travelling. At this point my school physics crumbles and my brain melts to mush. I need considerably more gin to get my head around this one.

During lockdown time seemed to move sporadically to the point where I couldn’t tell you what day of the week it was without looking at my watch. The time between Mum passing away and her funeral seemed to stretch forever, yet it was only 12 days. The day of her funeral passed in a blur – the next moment I was heading back over the border into England. And now it has catapulted me to the day before Halloween and I haven’t carved my pumpkin. I love to take time over this job but this year it will be a rushed one so I’d better keep the design simple and easy.

As the Dean household is still at maximum occupancy, our overseas guest having overstayed their welcome by at least 4 weeks. I need our house to feel like a sanctuary again –  space to allow me to freely express my grief without an unwelcome audience. I dare say time will move slowly until departure day, which should be before Thanksgiving (please, God) as that was my absolute deadline. In order to speed up her departure I will need to have as much fun as possible to invoke the spirit of my opening sentence!

I promise not to waste a single moment between now and a smaller headcount in the Dean household I need to remember this quote. No idea who’s responsible for this little nugget of wisdom but it seems apt.

‘Stop waiting for Friday, for Summer, for someone to fall in love with you, for life. Happiness is achieved when you stop waiting for it and make the most of the moment you are in now.’

Very wise. I shall give it my best shot! As a wise wizard said ‘Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light’ – Albus Dumbledore

I’d better get cracking on the pumpkin carving and switch on a light inside it. With a bit of steady knife skills I should bring a little happiness to the children enjoying their first ever socially-distanced, COVID-safe Halloween. I shall miss opening the door to them and scaring them with my costume and face-paints. I may still dress up for the fun of it.

Wishing you all a safe and fun Halloween.

Cath xx