It started off slow here in Partick - a few hands clapped in the distance, the odd whoop and cheer that’s not unfamiliar for a normal night on one of the city’s busiest streets.
Last night was not a normal night. Unless you count recent events and the ongoing lockdown as the ‘new normal’ - but anyone who has been for a brief walk or a supply trip to the shops knows that it’s a far cry from the city we, here at Glasgow Live, are so used to writing about.
I went for a walk yesterday, hours before the Clap For Our Carers moment still dominating your newsfeed today. Working extra long hours from home recently means that I haven’t taken the chance to exercise once a day and it’s taking its toll, mentally and physically, as I’m sure is the case for many of you.
If we’re fatigued in the face of coronavirus, just think how those on the frontline, the NHS staff and other key workers facing disaster day in, day out, are feeling.
The trouble is that my walk did nothing to make me feel better. If anything, it made things seem worse, bringing on more of the chest pains I’ve become used to (an anxiety symptom I haven’t felt in years) and a minor panic attack at the thought of an evil virus, lurking in the shadows and waiting to get me or my loved ones.
It was the faces of fellow Glaswegians that got to me most. The dog walker who crossed the street, rightly, to maintain social distance - but with an untrusting look thrown my way. The familiar checkout operator at my local supermarket who told me to “stay safe” in a hushed voice, instead of her usual “have a nice day”.
We’re all frightened of what’s to come and it’s as clear as day on our faces. We’re scaring each other.
Then, 8pm rolled around.
I opened the third floor tenement window and strained my ears in the hope of hearing just a wee bit of clapping on the wind. A sign of life from the stone fortresses around me, fuller than ever before of people staying home and closing their blinds to the scary world outside.
There they were; the clappers, the cheerers, the pot bangers. There were fireworks in the distance and what sounded like a ship horn sounding on the Clyde nearby.
There was also one poor jogger below, dazed and confused over his standing ovation on an otherwise empty road - a brilliantly funny moment that no doubt happened on a street near you too.
Glasgow came to life again and we were all in it together.
It’s no surprise that Glaswegians turned out to thank the men and women working to keep us safe during these troubling times - we’re a caring city at heart and we’ve all seen the stats, the horror stories, reminding us that we'd be facing this pandemic alone without those health service heroes.
But I can’t help but feel that we all needed last night too - it was an act of compassion not just for the NHS workers but for our neighbours, our families and the friends we can’t yet see in person.
It was Glasgow, doing what it does best and banding together in a time of need, letting the world know that we, Scotland and the rest of the UK are here, and we can still spread of bit of cheer.
Personally, I want to thank you - because even though it wasn’t meant for me, hearing you all left me more emotional than I could have expected. I hope last night’s festivities brought you a much-needed break from fear, and that we can continue to come together, even at a distance, to remind each other that Glasgow will go on long after lockdown.
