Dear Readers: Because of syndication scheduling, I write and submit my columns two weeks in advance of publication. Due to this time lag, the Q&A’s will not reflect the latest information about the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic we are currently facing.
As of this writing, Americans have started a program of social distancing, isolation, and in some cases quarantine. Concerts, sporting events, and public gatherings have all been canceled. Weddings, graduations, celebrations, and vacations have been put on hold. Many workers have been furloughed or laid off. Children are home from school. The economy seems to be crashing. Families are sequestered in their homes, and people are anxious.
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Every day in the very small town where I live, I put a basket full of oranges out on my front porch with a sign saying, “Help yourself!”
The parents who walk by with their young children send their kids up the sidewalk and onto the porch to pick out an orange. We wave to one another through the window.
The double-meaning of the wording on my sign was unintentional, but I like it. Yes, we all need to help ourselves. However, I am constantly reminded that — even in our isolation, we should not feel alone, and it is imperative that we help one another.
Most evenings, I stop at the small family-owned grocery store in our town. We neighbors keep a safe distance from one another. But the shelves are well-stocked, and the high school kids who bag the groceries will also carry them to your car. Without this store, people in my rural area would live in a food desert. I am filled with relief and gratitude to have access to good food.
The hospital workers, postal workers, first responders, supply chain providers, teachers connecting with their young students remotely — I am so grateful that they are helping the rest of us stay safe and healthy.
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When you have so many externals stripped away it is the basics that quickly emerge as daily blessings: Good neighbors. Mostly reliable wireless service. Drive-thru Dunkin’ Donuts.
For me, visits to the gym 10 miles away have been replaced by solitary walks in the woods. In the harsh northern climate where I live, spring creeps up in agonizingly tiny steps. Yesterday, I saw the first signs of fiddlehead fern breaking through the forest floor.
I am reminded that, despite everything, spring will come; I hope I am not forced to wave at it through the window.
I reached out on social media, asking people to share stories about plans delayed or denied, and many people pointed toward our creativity and quirky humanity as a faint silver lining to burnish this seemingly dark time.
Some examples: Faced with an empty facility, workers at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago released the penguins to roam the halls — and filmed their adorable escapades, as they went on a “field trip” to meet other animals.
Jarret Krosoczka, author and illustrator of the wonderful graphic memoir “Hey, Kiddo” (2018, Graphix) is offering free daily online drawing tutorials for kids who are homebound (check his YouTube channel).
For foster youth who have aged out of the foster care system, their college campus might be their only home. The organization Together We Rise is helping to arrange and pay for housing (togetherwerise.org).
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Storytime From Space has videos of in-orbit astronauts reading inspiring stories for children. From space! Check storytimefromspace.com for videos to share.
And ... many of us are learning to cut our own hair!
Lisa wrote: “My husband works across the country and travels home on the weekends. We have been doing this for about eight months, with me staying behind until our boys finish their senior years — one in high school and one in university. He is now working from home until further notice. So now he is able to stay for an extended period of time. We have all missed each other so much and waking up with him home on Monday morning was our silver lining.”
Diane wrote: “I think we’re going to find a lot of good comes from this. If it’s one thing I’ve learned in life — in a time of crisis, we come together.”
Janet wrote: “Perhaps we can use this time to really take stock and realign our lives to make certain that we give the most time to that which is most valuable — our loved ones. Also, to focus on helping those who don’t have the safety net that we might be blessed with. It’s a tall order, but worth trying.”
Amy Dickinson can be reached at askamy@amydickinson.com.
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March 30, 2020 at 11:02AM
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COVID-19 may reveal some basic blessings - The Boston Globe
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