Laura Ellis
Locked down in a house full of boys….. our garden, the space we are lucky to have and the beautiful weather, were our saving grace.
As I talked to Bec about her project the memories that came to mind instantly were of my sons on the trampoline, on a day when we laughed so much I cried, before it all dissolved into competitive chaos, fighting and frustration. The words ‘ups and downs’ and ‘the show must go on’ summed it up. They sum up the whole of lockdown; like life in general, but amplified.
This project was a retrospective one for me using unplanned personal photos, and as I looked through all the images from that time, the words, which I’d initially struggled to find, just flowed.
Grateful for space, our space, our garden, grateful for time. Together.
Safe, secure, blessed.
Big brother becomes teacher. How lucky? I’m relieved, and relieved
Go to work, home from work. Wait. No hugs, no kisses. Shower the day away.
Wash hands. Dry hands. Little hands. Rough, cracked, bleeding hands. Hold hands. Hugs and kisses. Eskimo kisses, butterfly kisses, mummy kisses.
Miss kisses. Miss hugs. Miss friends.
Waiting for the postman, old school. Postcards. Love through the letterbox.
Joy. Art. Create. Escape
Glorious sunshine. Eyes closed, birdsong, early morning coffee. A new space. Quiet, a moment. Bliss.
Ups and downs.
Highs and lows
No school, no sports day, no trip, no play. Cheated, gutted. Tears flow.
Back to school, no school, new school. Old friends, new friends.
Confusion. Grief.
Homework, housework, work work. He works. Hard work. Crash. Sofa. Sleep.
Washing, drying, Superheroes. Blowing in the wind.
Tulips.
Gardening, happy, sunshine. Cement mixing, brick lugging, wheelbarrow pushing. Dig, plant, weed, sing. Gin.
Do it all again.
Noise. Shhhhh
Hugging and kissing. Kicking and screaming.
What’s the time? What's the day?
Be careful. It’ll all end in tears. There'll be no going to hospital. Referee!
Am I invisible? Can't you hear my voice?
Lost. Patience.
Juggling, plate spinning, clowning around.
The show does go on. Regardless
Hormonal, emotional, rollercoaster. Swings. And roundabouts.
My eye slipped off the ball
Frustration. Guilt. Overwhelming
Mum, Dad, isolated. Anxious. Don’t touch, stay away.
Bright side.
Hopes, dreams, light. At the end of the tunnel, reflecting. Reflection
Escape to the sea. Free.
Sunshine. Cider. Stung by a drunken bee.
Happy.
Late nights, games nights, movie nights.
Hurry up, slow down, biking, jumping, swinging, walking, breathing...... and breathe
Running, alone, from, and to
Early morning bus. Bye bye baby.
Laughing and crying, crying with laughter, magic.
Christmas, bubble, Covid cuddles. In bed, reading, to me, me too. Die hard.
Snow. Angels. Love. My angels.
Wee shites. Still; my babies.