I’m a fairly positive person

My Bible: reasons to believe in the power of the Bible

'I’m a fairly positive person. I’m trying to make the best of the situation and am keeping busy. But one of the hardest things is not seeing my mum. The hard thing was that she had planned a big party for her 80th birthday. That went by the board. Being able to post a present to her wasn’t the same as handing it to her and seeing her open it.

'An 80th birthday is a big deal. She’s only going to be 80 once. We will have the party in the future, if the restaurant is still going. But it’s the fact that the day itself had to pass without being marked, other than with a phone call.

'I’m an only child, so I feel a responsibility. She’s a polio victim, and her health isn’t good. She’s in a lot of nerve pain and the use of her hands is becoming more and more difficult. She struggles with things like opening jars and slicing bread. I can’t just get in the car and go and help her. That makes me worry.

'We speak every day on the phone. We can spend 40 minutes nattering away. We share photos on email and tell each other what’s going on in our gardens.

'John 20.26 has helped me. I’m filling up just reading it again now. It says, ‘A week later, the disciples were together again indoors, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you”.’

What I know, is that Jesus is with us. He’s in the gaps where we can’t be. He’s in our Zoom calls and our phone calls. For my mum and I, it helps because we share a faith. We are able to talk about things that we’ve found helpful, and we know that God will look after each other until we meet again physically.’

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