Dear Summer,

I always dream you will be perfect. I’ll dream that you’ll be long days spent on the beach, peppered with instagrammable adventures, and way too many iced coffees. You hold some of my dearest memories: from rocking out to Beyoncé at Glastonbury (yep I name dropped), to living abroad, to being the time when I made some of my most life-changing decisions. You encapsulate the longing for a break rewarded with sun.

Alas, this year you haven’t come.

Growing up I have always loved journeys. For me the journey is as important as the destination. I wanted to be a pilot since the age of 10. I loved controlling anything that moves. Being a pilot is a job I have had the privilege of doing for 18 years. But it’s more than just a job, it’s a passion, a lifestyle. 

Where are you seeing glimmers of beauty in lockdown?

For me, it’s been in the daily walks, seeing the blossom trees and the golden hour light. The total joy of being able to have meals al fresco. I’ve found myself longing for the next opportunity to get outside during isolation. Binging on the US Office deserves a mention too- a different kind of beauty!

I was lonely. I just didn’t realise it.I was used to moving around. This time, I moved to a completely new city for work. It was a great job, therefore I didn’t mind the unsociable hours. I honestly couldn’t work out what was wrong.The waves of intense emotional pain were sudden and crippling. I would curl up on the floor and whimper. They were unavoidable and overwhelming.

My friend Krish and his wife Miriam are foster parents. Krish tells of how, one day, the phone rang, requesting a placement. “Do you have space for a three-year-old?” they were asked. “Parents have gone AWOL. We don’t know much about him, but apparently he’s a biter. Are you okay with that?”