Extremes

The year has started worldwide with weather extremes. Back home, my family are battling this.

While it looks beautiful and, being a cool weather person myself, I'd gladly swap, the reality is that it is making life difficult for many.

Here. in Australia, many of us are battling this with searing temperatures. Some are facing extreme bush fire conditions and have had to evacuate their homes.

In either case, a time to think about those around us who may not cope so well with these conditions. The elderly who can't get out in the snow to get food or who may not be able to afford to heat their homes and are vulnerable to hypothermia. In the heat, again those who may be more vulnerable to excessive heat - those who have illness, the elderly.

I think most of us assume that people will have family or someone else looking out for them but it's not always the case. Taking the time to ask people if they need help may just be one of the most important things we do.