Heroes

Heroes

Heroes always emerge from adversity. Just look at the number of amazing heroes among us right now?

Heroes like my neighbours, a paramedic and a police officer.

All the uniform wearing heroes, everyone from the front line medics, our emergency services and armed forces to the thousands of GP’s, carers, pharmacists, members of the cloth and even funeral directors. There are also less obvious ones like the hospital lab technicians testing for the virus, the scientists who are striving to find a cure.

Then there are the thousands of teachers who are continuing to try to provide our children with an education. Bank workers, Post Office workers, delivery drivers plus those that supply and sell fuel. The restaurant owners and event caterers who are providing food to keep our NHS heroes going.

And what about all the individuals who are continuing to keep us supplied with food and essentials like farmers, lorry drivers and supermarket staff?

I couldn’t help thinking yesterday that the lovely young woman who served me in the supermarket couldn’t have been more helpful. It can’t be easy to keep smiling and serving customers at present.

And then there are people like the bus drivers who continue to provide services that allow key workers to get to work. I sadly heard about one driver of 40 years who was due to be honoured with a long service award this year, who passed away after contracting the virus. He was a hero wasn’t he?

Then there are the far less obvious. The hidden gems in our communities, the ones who quietly go about the business of looking after those who are unable to fend for themselves, keeping them supplied with prescriptions and food supplies. They go about their lives simply getting on with what needs to be done. Often you won’t even know what they do until you get to know them better.

Heroes.

In my own view they don’t come much better than nurses. They are often the unsung heroes, the underpaid, overworked members of the NHS that keep the huge machine going.

They are the ones I turned to a couple of years ago when Dad was dying. They are the ones who offered me the support and resilience to get through that ordeal. They are the ones on the front line now, caring for the thousands of desperately ill victims of the virus. Holding hands when loved ones cannot be present, going out of their way to ensure the dying are given the best possible care.

It takes real strength of character, an unbelievable amount of emotional resilience, an inner core of steel, to do that job.

Concordia’s World is no different. Although it is a magical place, it too needs its heroes.

This morning I found myself meeting one. She is a quiet little thing, so unassuming. Its unusual for me to be so far advanced with one of my creations before introductions are made. With all the external noise that’s been going on, perhaps I’ve just not been paying enough attention? It’s not been easy of late to find that quiet headspace that allows me to escape into Concordia’s World.

So this morning I was more than pleasantly surprised to learn more about my latest little dragon. I discovered that her personality bares more than a passing resemblance to an NHS nurse.

I realised that her outer appearance belies an inner core of steel. She is one made of strong stuff. She is one of life’s survivors.

I barely even began to wonder what her name might be, when she told me. It was obvious really.

Anancites. The Latin word meaning diamond.

Yes Anancites is like that very hardest, most beautiful and precious of substances, the diamond.

She remains calm in the most demanding of circumstances, bringing with her a remedy for sadness and relief for troubled minds.

She is never battle weary.

She is never one to shy away from what needs to be done.

She is small but totally fearless. She is formidable.

Her determination knows no bounds.

Anancites is invincible.

As I’m sure you know by now, my creations are often metaphors for expressing my inner emotions. Having discovered the personality of my current creation, I’ve realised she is my tribute to all those brave men and women in the world, but especially for the nurses and medics of our NHS who are putting the needs of others before themselves, risking their lives in an effort to preserve life.

In naming her I also realised another happy coincidence. The rainbow is fast becoming the symbol associated with our NHS. I couldn’t help but smile at how appropriate it is that my dragons name means diamond since the rainbow is confined in a diamond forever.

A diamond also symbolises all the forces necessary for a healthy society and provides great strength. How very appropriate.

Anancites is a perfect daily reminder. She is helping me to remain as strong and as resilient as I possibly can, in order to support my nearest and dearest in these troubling times.

Anancites also makes me smile. She is a celebration of the strength and resilience of the human race, of the compassion we share for others. And of the everlasting strength of love.

I hope watching her creation brings you a little comfort and joy too.

Until next time dear follower,

Mary-Ann