Day 18 / Day 4- Grace

Easter Sunday, a time to reflect, slow down, come together and contemplate. This Easter we are taking stock of an existential threat. Enforced behaviourial changes do have their upsides though: the lungs of the planet are breathing more easily, bodies of water are regenerating, we are consuming less and listening more. Lock down presents an opportunity to institute change, systemic and personal, for the greater good.
I salute those in the front line: health care workers, people dealing with dead bodies, rubbish collectors, police, supermarket workers. These people are essential and their contribution is often underrated.
I was born on 12 April, 1960. It was at the beginning of a decade of vast social change: women and racial minorities demanded greater equality, the first human walked on the moon and pop culture presented new expressions of old ideas. 1960, year of the metallic rat, is also known as the Year of Africa. 17 African nations gained independence, starting with Cameroon on January 1st. In New Zealand the first nuclear powered submarine, the USS Halibut, swam into our waters, Helen Garrett of Christchurch became the first woman to serve on a jury in a criminal case, and a 'riot' by young people at the Hastings Blossom Festival saw 'degeneracy and licentiousness among the nation's youth' become an election issue. And we had our first official television broadcast.
How times have changed. My 60th in 2020 is nothing I could have predicted but it's fun. I'm spoiled by virtual visits from my English department colleagues, and family. Chris and I bike to Sherry's with a bottle of champagne and dutifully sit at a distance. We get a fit of the giggles which turns to uncontrollable laughter and we roll around the concrete till our stomachs ache. Another of the Thursday drinkers is on speaker phone. Life's good.

Finally, Covid news...and it's good. The Director-General of Health announces New Zealand has 18 new cases, the lowest daily number in three weeks. Easter Sunday, a day of grace.