I sat in front of my locker as I quietly contemplated about my future surrounding my career in the hospitality business and the future of our beloved hotel. Covid-19 was about to strike in the most deadliest way. The thought of it left shivers down my spine. Flights were beginning to be cancelled and China had completely closed it's borders. It wasn't looking good for any of us. Our careers in the hospitality business was hanging by a thread and financially it was a complete disaster for all of us. Eight weeks ago none off us knew what was going to happen. Our hotel was suddenly closing down. I love my guests to much and I will miss them tremendously. I love everything about my hotel with the best views over the River Thames and I love the people I work with. We are a great team and soon we will all be going our different ways... "Well for now, let's see how it will all unfold," I thought as I slowly stretched out to one side to pick up my water bottle. I was thirsty and tired. All I wanted, was to be at home and wait until tomorrow... My last week was the hardest. Travelling to work wasn't easy because of my fears of Covid-19 was vividly terrorizing the wits out of me. I was worried for my own colleagues who had far to travel. As usual my guests were my priority, making them feel comfortable while they stayed with us till the very end. My sadness and my fears were all put to one side as I continued to smile. It felt strange working on my own. I never said my proper good byes to a lot of my colleagues. So quiet. So empty. I will always remember my last week working at my hotel as a poignant memory I will never forget. Covid-19 had and has temporary closed our hotel as our lives temporarily shifted towards different directions. Well, mine for sure shifted from being completely merged at work to a complete stay at home mummy, as I continue to use my time to do all the things I couldn't do because of work, like spring cleaning my home and getting rid of unnecessary things. Painting my kitchen, gardening, watering my plants and hunting for slugs with my children at ridiculous times in the evenings, while having a great laugh and a joke together. It's been the best time with my children, particularly my youngest who is autistic. Thankfully technology has played a huge part, as we all continue to be in touch with our colleagues, looking after ourselves and our families while we wait for the right time to bounce back, completely energized in order to carry on with our different roles at the Savoy.
A bunch of Forget-me-not and Purple-Leaf Sand Cherry
freshly picked creates a perfect flower arrangement.
My water bottle which was kindly gifted by my work, continues until today to be a constant reminder of the good times at work and how one day very soon, we will all be back on our feet... Meanwhile it continues to be useful, as it follows me to the park for a quick stroll with my children and our dog, while we all enjoy the fresh air and hot sun hitting our faces while admiring all the beautiful colorful spring flowers and listening to the different sounds of birds.
Want to learn about two beautiful flowers found in our parks?
Forget-Me-Not is an annual or biennial, depending on climate. Forget-Me-Nots produce masses of miniature, sky-blue blossoms with white, yellow or pink centers from mid-April to June. Although native to Europe, plants are naturalized in the U.S. in moist, shaded places. Perfect for borders, rock gardens, and dainty bouquets. Myosotis is also a good honey bee plant.
GenusPrunus can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs with showy flowers in spring, and often good autumn foliage colour. Some have edible fruit in autumn, and a few species have ornamental bark
DetailsP. × cistena is an upright, bushy, medium-sized deciduous shrub with small, pinkish-white flowers. Leaves red-purple, deepening in the summer and brighter in autumn.
WRITTEN BY IRENE KATHERINE/KATHERINE LASTING MEMORIES 2020
Comments