Here for Each Other

“The coronavirus pandemic could well be the moment when the United States rediscovers its better, collective self.”  So said sociologist Dr. Eric Klinenberg in an op-ed piece published in the New York Times two weeks ago. A lot has happened since then. The situation is rapidly changing, and we can’t know what the future holds. But one thing we have continued to see is an outpouring of love for others in creative, concrete ways. There is daily evidence of goodness that we did not see before this crisis.

Carl is on our “Next Door Neighborhood” website, and he told me a few days ago that there have been posts urging people to put teddy bears in their windows so that little children will have fun looking for them while on neighborhood walks. I hear that that’s a thing in other parts of the city, too. How sweet! And how simple. And what a kind way to care for all children. Sure enough, we saw a house on Saturday that had the entire living room window filled with bright stuffed animals. It must have been a treat for the little ones, but it lifted our spirits, too.

In Columbus, Ohio, a customer in a local sports bar watched with the staff as the governor made a televised announcement that all bars and restaurants would be closed. Finishing his meal, he wrote, “Please split this tab equally between Tara, Nicky, Jim, Liz and Arrun,” on the check and left a $2,500 tip for his $30 bill. That would be uplifting enough. But then Tara, Nicky, Jim Liz, and Arrun went a step further, agreeing among themselves to split the $2,500 with all 12 employees of the business. They were there for each other.

When Detroit restaurants were forced to close because of Covid-19, a group of mom and pop restaurants pooled their perishables and their chefs started cooking meals for the homeless and food insecure. Other food donations came in. Now operating as "Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen for Good,” the group is keeping three homeless shelters supplied with nutritious meals. Culinary students and a local nonprofit are helping with the program, extending both the opportunities to be helpful and the capacity to help.

In Pembroke, Massachusetts, the owners of a mom and pop cafe set up a display in their parking lot to give away toilet paper that the restaurant would not be needing during mandatory closure.

Around the country. elementary teachers have been decorating their cars and forming parades to drive through students’ neighborhoods to wave at them. Volunteers continue to collect and distribute hand soap to the homeless, while street medicine programs have ramped up their efforts to provide medical care, and, in addition, are distributing jugs of water, soap, and information on hand washing. 

In ways big and small, people are acting for others. Here in our own home, Carl and I are grateful to the neighbor who took our packages to the post office last week, and to our nephew in Boise, a talented singer-songwriter who did a delightful quarantine home concert on Saturday night. Thank you for being here for us.

Speaking of music, some of you may remember a song from the '60s by one hit wonder Friend and Lover. The simple lyrics went, “I think it’s so groovy now that people are finally getting together, Think its wonderful now that people are finally getting together. Reach out of the darkness and you may find a friend.” So ’60s! And so today. Want to hear it? Click here: "Reach Out in the Darkness"

Until tomorrow, I’m ‘60s dancing out. 

Stay home if you can. Bless those who cannot, who must leave their homes to care for us. And be well, everyone.

Love from Nancie/Mom/Mimi/Grandma

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