It has struck me recently how many creative and talented colleagues and friends I have and I wanted to showcase some of their creations and stories for you.
In New Zealand’s recent COVID19 Level 4 Lockdown, Helena went above and beyond with her creativity to support the great Teddy Bear Hunt.
For those outside of New Zealand, the great Teddy Bear Hunt was an initiative started to keep children (and adults) entertained when they walked around the neighbourhood during lockdown. People were encouraged to put teddy bears in their windows that could be seen from the street. Huge numbers of New Zealanders participated – even the Prime Minister – and there were all sorts of activities put out around them such as counting the numbers of different coloured bears etc.
Even though the Teddy Bear Hunt was aimed primarily at children, Helena’s amazing scenes that appeared in her window every day kept the adults of her neighbourhood enthralled as well – many making the detour to her street especially to see the daily offerings. Her Facebook friends also eagerly awaited her posts each day to see (and share even more widely) her amazing commentary of life in lockdown and the leisure activities everyone was missing.
Helena’s scenes encompassed everything from the daily COVID19 updates from the Prime Minister and the Director-General of Health (complete with sign language translator) to the sudden obsession with baking; from the thank you to front line health staff to the opportunity for home decorating; from home schooling to keeping going with the lockdown marathon; from relaxing with a beer to going stir crazy in the house; from endless cups of tea to celebrating birthdays in lockdown; from desperately needing a haircut to getting your veggie garden going; from exercising at home to going for a bike ride; from zoom meet ups to playing games; and even celebrating Easter and ANZAC Day at home.
She portrayed a whole range of outdoor activities that Kiwis were missing: camping and toasting marshmallow round the campfire; going to the beach, swimming and snorkelling; parachuting, boating, climbing and abseiling, synchronised swimming, surfing and rafting. Oh such fun – the scenes were fabulous and so creative in their detail.
Her wide audience is very sad that these daily scenes come to an end but Helena is glad that Level 4 Lockdown has come to an end – and that her living room can get back to normal.
Very, very clever and an absolute delight!