Lockdown 23/28 - My Fellowship
Day 23 of my diary of a LOTR Fan Museum owner during our 4 week national lockdown - in NZ we’re uniting as a country to beat Covid-19 to break the chain and save lives, but …
Technically, the new job STAY HOME, be kind, is due to end next Thursday, and, if the results of our lockdown continue as they are at present, our government is signalling (but not promising) that we’ll then move down a notch to a level 3 alert.
This is great news for our fight against Covid-19 and the safety NZrs. While the PM describes it as a waiting in recovery with not much change, it will in fact mean lots of changes and the chance for lots of people to go back to their old jobs. But, as Frodo said, “Not for me”. My industry (tourism) would still be closed, and my new job continues. I totally get and support this even though it’s demoralising. But I’m OK. I am tackling the future in a way that Gandalf would be proud of, I hope.
My focus in today’s blog is the wider “fellowship” of The One Room Fan Museum, my lifelong and closest friends. One recently reported some very bad news. I wish I could be there with her, but I have to beam support from afar.
I call us a fellowship because I see in our friendships the same bonds that united Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin, as well as other characters in LOTR. The support of these friends and my close family underlies the Museum, fueling its “heart” and the fun that I’ve been able to pass on to LOTR fans who visit. Many of the comments in the Museum’s visitor’s book compliment me, but I know that this really means me PLUS the fellowship of of the Museum.
The Museum fellowship is also extraordinarily talented! For example, my friend Rusty has made some of the most popular costumes, ie, Galadriel and Eowyn. Many visiting women love to don Galadriel’s gown and assume her gravitas. (I’ve added Galadriel’s “mirror” out front of the house so my visitors can see the future - though none of us saw Covid coming!). Eowyn, the warrior woman, is also a favourite for many. And my friend Liz. She and I have shared the magic world of LOTR since we were teenagers. It continues and is a precious gift.
One of the ongoing joys of the Museum is expanding the fellowship and meeting new close friends. “You know of whom I speak”.
It’s funny that it wasn’t actually true that to be a Ring bearer was to be alone - Frodo and Sam proved it, and JRR knew it. I wish everyone out there enduring this harsh time their own fellowship of close friends. And, I send my utmost love to my own fellowship. Best wishes, Kathy
