Getting The Lowdown On Down's

The older I get, the crankier and more miserable I appear to become. I would like to be able to put this down to old age, yet the reality is that I have sometimes allowed my mindset to perpetuate this notion, since not everyone I know of a similar age is necessarily so.

- Ian Kirke

COVID-19 has tested my resolve to its limits and my tendency for being Mister Grumpy has worsened during each successive lockdown. The third, and hopefully final, instalment of this wretched episode in modern-day human history has hit me the hardest. Although why? I am privileged to live in a lovely home with a generous garden and have every conceivable piece of modern technology at my fingertips. I am at little risk of going hungry and an escape to the open countryside is within touching distance. And I know that with the vaccination roll-out in full swing a return to a more normal life is agonisingly close. I can metaphorically beat myself over the head with the usual line that I should be grateful, but this has only a limited effect.

Walking around the local supermarket recently, mask and beanie hat on, looking like an extra from some low budget crime drama, was my excitement for the day although I was angry. I wanted my life back. Then I met the one thing I could easily vent my venom at and instantly recoiled in the fruit and vegetable aisle as I looked towards the clothing section. A big smiling face! It dominated my vision taunting me with its misplaced happiness. The advertisement hording hung from above. Then again, the model had Down syndrome. They are always happy and smiling, aren’t they?