The start of 2020 has definitely crept in, no large celebrations, virtual gatherings and closely followed by a continued lockdown.
If you are anything like me I had hoped that with a lockdown through December and vaccines being rolled out across the country, in my mind I had rolled all the terrible news, death and ordeal into 2020 so that we could start afresh in the new year, an Etch-a-Sketch do-over if you like.
So when Big Ben told; and the drone and fireworks had disappeared from the night sky, it looked no different; in fact with a new strain of the virus that was easier to transmit and spread, with schools not going back until…., with the continued uncertainty of work and cases growing to break all-time highs on a daily basis it is hard to see or remain positive as we enter 2021. This might have come from the tradition that surrounds the New Year, glad tidings and fresh beginning, resolutions to change behaviours, habits and attitudes but at 12 am rolled around and as Auld Lang Syne was silenced we find ourselves still in the midst of the Pandemic, life remains not only unchanged but actually that we have side-stepped and taken a jump back.
However, we can get a handle of this pandemic, we will over-come the struggles that we have all had to endure over the past 12 months, it’s just that it wouldn’t be that instantaneous kick, that magical fix that will happen as the arbitrary time moves passed midnight on a given day of the year. It is this mental differentiation between reality and fantasy that is likely the reason we can see the generation frustration on the public and in the media. It is probably a considerable factor as to why the numbers of cases continue to climb and attitudes to this harmful plague have weakened to the point of normality and complacency.
Nevertheless, we will prevail, things will improve and we, as a nation will get through this together. With the support of our friends and communities, we can focus on the positivity and drive the virus out with the correct attitude and adhering to the guidelines that have come from the experts of our nation and the world.
For many of you reading this you would have found amazing support from friends (new and old), online communities and groups, family and dare say even the government, but for a large percentage of you, this support and guidance doesn’t correct the injustice you feel for a having a loved one taken from you, too soon!
Why The Forest of Memories?
It is why we set up The Forest of Memories, as a way to give back one of the absolute fundamentals of life; to allow people to grieve, should they have been through the pain of loss, to offer support in allowing people to remember loved ones, give them space to share stories with friends and family; to mourn the loss and celebrate life.
Our aim is to bring this all together in a positive tribute; by planting a tree within a forest means that you have a something physical, something natural, something everlasting, a life for a life; it will eventually mean you will be able to visit, walk around and enjoy the space where your metaphorical loved one rests and learn of their lives and loves, for future generations.
What is Memory-Trees.com?
Over the past few weeks, we have been humbled by the amounts of people who have been sharing memories of their loved ones, dedicating trees in The Forest of Memories and placing their names on the digital memorial wall that was created at Memory-Trees. We have seen and heard heartbreaking stories of true compassion and love for every single person who has created a profile in that space.
We know that this memorial isn’t perfect but it was important for us to support the people who wanted to share their messages, we needed to offer a central place to remember that Covid took and continues to take so much from people and that behind all the numbers there is a life, a person, a family and community who have all lost someone. This is more to be done and we are working hard to add features that people are asking for and hope that over the coming weeks we will be able to share but until then please allow me to thank you for your support and thank you for sharing your beautiful words.
Please remember that in order for us to plant a FREE tree in the name of your loved one, we ask that you create a FREE profile on the Memory-Trees website.
It is simple, follow these 4 short steps and a member of the team will let you know when it has been created and can be shared.
About The Forest of Memories
The Forest of Memories is a project started by ‘Our Heroes CIC’ with the objective of creating a network of memorial forests around the UK. Forests of remembrance for all those who have tragically lost their lives during this pandemic, and the creation of sustainable places of reflection for the bereaved and for people whose mental health has been affected.
The Forests of Memories will be grown in memory of people adversely affected during the Covid-19 pandemic, whilst addressing climate change, benefiting biodiversity, and establishing an educational and cultural resource for local communities. Creating a lasting tribute to people in ways that will benefit future generations.
