People from across the nation have told of their heartbreak after being left with no choice but to spend Mother’s Day speaking to their elderly parents through a glass window amid the coronavirus pandemic.
With government advice urging anyone over 70 to be ‘particularly stringent in following social distancing measures,’ many have taken to Twitter to reveal how this year will be the first they haven’t spent with their loved ones.
‘Celebrated Mother’s Day this evening, through the window, with my mummy. Respecting the need to keep our vulnerable and older generation safe,’ wrote one. ‘Hardest thing in the world not being able to give your mummy and daddy a hug. But…..we CAN do this! They ARE worth it!’
A second commented: ‘If coronavirus has taught us anything, it’s how much we take the most simplest things for granted. The first time in my life I won’t be seeing my mum on mother’s Day. But I swear I’ll savour every moment with her when this is all over.’
Olive Trotman, 76, is visited on Mother’s Day by her son Mark Trotman, his wife Denise Taylor-Trotman and his sister Kelly Trotman
Ben and Isaac talk to their grandmother Sue through a window, as she and her husband Alan self-isolate due at their home in Knutsford, Cheshire
Helen Walters chats to her mother Gillian using video calling, as people find alternative ways to celebrate Mother’s Day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson encouraged people to stay at home in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic
It comes as Boris Johnson will today urge Britons to celebrate Mother’s Day remotely by using video calls – as he admits the NHS is on the brink of being ‘overwhelmed’ by the coronavirus outbreak.
Taking to Twitter, another told how she went to see her 96-year-old gran at her care home and was only allowed to wave at her through the window and leave her Mother’s Day present.
‘Bless her, broke my heart she’s no idea why we can’t go in,’ she continued. ‘So much love for the amazing staff who are doing everything to keep them safe.’
A further commented: ‘My mum lives on the ground floor at a sheltered housing I won’t go in but I will call her when I get there tell her to come to window and send her my love for Mother’s Day.’
‘I know this will bring a big smile to her face , she is all alone there no way I’m no seeing her today.’
Ben and Isaac talk to their grandmother Sue through a window, as she and her husband Alan self-isolate due at their home in Knutsford, Cheshire.
Olive (pictured at the windows) suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema
She is taking the precaution of communicating at a safe distance or through a glass window, to limit the potential spread of coronavirus
People from across the nation have taken to Twitter to share their heartache at having to spend Mother’s Day apart from their loved ones (pictured)
One person told how it’s ‘the hardest thing in the world’ not being able to give their mum or dad a hug (pictured)
Others have resorted to FaceTime to communicate with their loved ones, with one sharing this snap alongside the caption: ‘Here’s how I’ll be saying Happy Mothers Day. Protecting my Mum the best I can’
Another penned: ‘Finally managed to get my 80 year-old mum set up on Zoom. She lives 200 miles away (and is in isolation), so it will be quite special to actually ‘see’ her on Mother’s Day!’
Another who was forced apart from his loved one due to self-isolate amid the coronavirus pandemic penned: ‘Nothing more heartbreaking than speaking to them on the phone whilst they’re on the other side of a window #9MoreDays’ (pictured)
Another encouraged children across the country to send a window message to their mums on Mother’s Day (pictured)
Others took to social media to say how the best gift they can give their mother today is to not see them – as it could save lives (pictured)
Another told how his children’s mother has had to self-isolate for two weeks with the kids.
He explained: ‘Not wanting her to miss #MothersDay. I dropped her gifts off for the kids to give her. Nothing more heartbreaking than speaking to them on the phone whilst they’re on the other side of a window #9MoreDays.’
Meanwhile, some sons and daughters resorted to FaceTime and shared screenshots of their video conversations with their loved ones.
‘Here’s how I’ll be saying Happy Mothers Day. Protecting my Mum the best I can,’ commented one, while a second wrote: ‘Finally managed to get my 80 year-old mum set up on Zoom. She lives 200 miles away (and is in isolation), so it will be quite special to actually “see” her on Mothers’ Day!’
But while many expressed their devastation at not being able to see their mothers, others told how not doing so is the best present they could give – as it could save lives.
Another told how it’s set to be a ‘very different’ Mother’s Day this year – adding ‘I’m guessing more emotional than ever’
‘Not visiting your Mum today doesn’t mean you love her any less, it means you love her more,’ wrote one, while a second agreed:
‘First Mother’s Day. I won’t spend physically with mum. However, we will speak through her window and deliver a Sunday roast. I work in a school and she is over 70 we can’t take the risk. Please follow the guidance! #SocialDistancing will save lives.’
A third commented: ‘My gift to my Mum this Mother’s day is to stay at home. #StaySafeStayHome,’ while a fourth wrote: ‘My kids are safe, my granddaughter is safe, my mother in law is safe, all the gifts I need today.’
Others who have hero mothers who work for the NHS told how gutted they were to not be spending quality time with their mums, but expressed how proud they were of them.
One wrote: ‘It’s #MothersDay in the UK and I feel incredibly sad I can’t even hug my mum today. She works in the NHS and is doing an incredible job right now.’
‘Not gonna lie I’m so scared for her health and when this is all over I’m giving her the biggest hug I can.’
One wrote: ‘If coronavirus has taught us anything, it’s how much we take the most simplest things for granted’ (pictured)