A letter from our Area Chairman, Audrey Balderstone

30th March 2020
 
Hello, my fellow flower friends,
 
Well, we have survived the first week of our enforced ‘holiday’ and I wonder how you have fared?
I have to admit that it has taken me a few days to adjust from my usual routine of  being extremely busy to time stretching out before me. I had a very long list of things to do, but little motivation to get them done.  The good weather and the garden were, of course, lifesavers, but towards the end of last week I felt rather ‘down’ which is most unlike me.
 
Part of the reason was that Thursday would have been my late husband’s birthday and on Friday my brother celebrated his 70th birthday. I was not able to be with either of them. Many of you will be facing similar days and anniversaries. Many of you, like me, will be ‘Home Alone’ and it looks as though we will be so for quite a long time.
 
Thankfully, I seem to have returned to my usual positive and energetic self, but I wanted to share with you that all of us may have days when it all seems too much. One way of helping ourselves is to help others. This is not physically possible for most of us at the moment, but we can phone, write or text friends, relatives and family.  Thankfully, our church services are being streamed, but if yours are not, there is a service every Sunday morning on BBC1.  There are also many exercise classes of course, and it is a good idea to do some gentle - or not so gentle - exercise every day.  Who knows, we might come out of this fitter than ever!
 
A local Indian Restaurant near our church in Watford is making food which is being distributed from the church and my friend and I are helping to coordinate the delivery. If you live near Stanborough and would like to receive some, please let me know.  (I realise this will not apply to the majority of you.)
 
Those who have access to the internet will know that there are many flower related YouTube videos available.  NAFAS has a number of videos on YouTube so perhaps this is your opportunity to view some which will teach you how to use a pin-holder for instance!
 
Now that spring is here we can look forward to watching blossom trees come into bloom, bulbs flower and shrubs begin to ‘green up’.  Nature has a great way of lifting the spirits and we have lots to look forward to in the garden.  At the moment The Gardening Club at Enfield is offering a delivery service for all its products. One has to be a member, but joining is easy and not expensive, so at the moment you will be able to order summer bedding for instance. (Again, I realise this will only apply to a small number of you, but there might be a similar outlet near to where you live. It might be worth exploring.)
 
I leave you now with words from one of my favourite Irish poets, knowing that ‘time will come good’. 
​With prayers that you and your families will stay safe and well.
​Audrey

This is the time to be slow,
Lie low to the wall
Until the bitter weather passes.

Try, as best you can, not to let
The wire brush of doubt
Scrape from your heart
All sense of yourself
And your hesitant light.

If you remain generous,
Time will come good;
And you will find your feet
Again on fresh pastures of promise,
Where the air will be kind
And blushed with beginning.

 by John O'Donohue