Note in a Bottle
Between self-quarantining after a trip to Vietnam and following widespread advice to avoid contact because of our age, Carl and I have been sheltering in place since March 2. We’re doing well. We have everything we need, we get out for walks, and we use Zoom and FaceTime to connect with family and friends and to attend our yoga class and church. But yesterday it dawned on me that I miss interacting with the wider world. It happened when I was writing a thank you note to the grocery delivery person who was on the way to our house. I realized that it felt good to be “talking with” this imminent arrival, even though we likely would not meet. It felt a little bit like I was sending off a note in a bottle.
Just as with the classic note in a bottle, I didn’t know who would receive my message. But like the proverbial shipwreck survivor marooned on an island, I felt as if I were getting a message through to the outside world: “We’re here! We exist.” And I felt a kinship with the delivery person, someone else who is also trying to navigate this strange and difficult time. “We are grateful for you,” I wrote. "Thank you for your dedication and courage. Thank you for bringing us the food we need.” It was a good feeling to write that note and tape it to our front door.
Would you like to send your own “note in a bottle,” too? Here’s a great way to do so: Send a simple homemade card to a senior living in a local nursing home. Because they cannot have family visits now, these elders are especially lonely. We can bring them hope and a bit of sunshine by letting them know that we’re thinking of them with a cheerful handmade card and note. Leslie Crowder, RN, works with the patients and will deliver the cards. Send cards in care of Leslie Crowder at 7523 SW Wimbledon Circle, Wilsonville, OR 97070. [Note: Please batch multiple cards into one envelope where possible.]
If you prefer a contact in real time, the Oregon Office of Emergency Management is looking for volunteers to make calls to and/or answer calls from the homebound, as well as volunteers for other tasks. Complete the prospective volunteer survey here: Volunteer Survey
And for a different take on reaching out, here’s a fun read about what happened when a museum closed and left its security guard in charge of the social media accounts: Cowboy Museum
Some of you have told me that you’ve been forwarding my e-mails to others. I’m not a visual person, but even I can imagine each of these little daily messages bobbing around in cyberspace like a note in a bottle. Do you remember that old saying, “A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet”? Well, I think there’s truth there. And I, for one, find it reassuring that we can still reach out to unmet friends even when we're sheltering at home.
Until tomorrow, be gentle with yourself, and be well.
Love,
Nancie/Mom/Mimi/Grandma
Just as with the classic note in a bottle, I didn’t know who would receive my message. But like the proverbial shipwreck survivor marooned on an island, I felt as if I were getting a message through to the outside world: “We’re here! We exist.” And I felt a kinship with the delivery person, someone else who is also trying to navigate this strange and difficult time. “We are grateful for you,” I wrote. "Thank you for your dedication and courage. Thank you for bringing us the food we need.” It was a good feeling to write that note and tape it to our front door.
Would you like to send your own “note in a bottle,” too? Here’s a great way to do so: Send a simple homemade card to a senior living in a local nursing home. Because they cannot have family visits now, these elders are especially lonely. We can bring them hope and a bit of sunshine by letting them know that we’re thinking of them with a cheerful handmade card and note. Leslie Crowder, RN, works with the patients and will deliver the cards. Send cards in care of Leslie Crowder at 7523 SW Wimbledon Circle, Wilsonville, OR 97070. [Note: Please batch multiple cards into one envelope where possible.]
If you prefer a contact in real time, the Oregon Office of Emergency Management is looking for volunteers to make calls to and/or answer calls from the homebound, as well as volunteers for other tasks. Complete the prospective volunteer survey here: Volunteer Survey
And for a different take on reaching out, here’s a fun read about what happened when a museum closed and left its security guard in charge of the social media accounts: Cowboy Museum
Some of you have told me that you’ve been forwarding my e-mails to others. I’m not a visual person, but even I can imagine each of these little daily messages bobbing around in cyberspace like a note in a bottle. Do you remember that old saying, “A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet”? Well, I think there’s truth there. And I, for one, find it reassuring that we can still reach out to unmet friends even when we're sheltering at home.
Until tomorrow, be gentle with yourself, and be well.
Love,
Nancie/Mom/Mimi/Grandma
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