by Noella Noelophile®
In this time of crisis, two things don’t seem to be in short supply.
Hope–and ingenuity.
As the headlines become more heartbreaking, we’re seeing both the best and worst of human nature.
Let’s concentrate on the best here.
With California currently on lockdown, we’ve seen a lot of creativity, both online and on our permitted short walks (with social distancing, of course!).
More than one neighbor has used sidewalk chalk to draw beautiful flowers and write messages. “See you soon”, “We will do this together” and “Miss you” are all common themes.
On Sunday, we heard honking–and a convoy of trucks, decorated with mylar balloons, made the loop through our residential tract. Signs read, “Happy 16th, Hayley!*”
Midway through the procession came a car, with a sixteen-year-old girl waving through the sunroof. We shouted birthday greetings to Hayley*, from a safe distance.
On our community forum, neighbors have begun suggesting we stand teddy bears in our windows. Then, during walks, children can go on a “teddy bear hunt” and see how many they can spot!
Another generous neighbor has turned her front yard tree into a “giving tree” for the children, with bubbles and coloring books tied onto the tree for the taking. Young participants are requested to just take one free item per day.
And online, we’re seeing writers’ and artists’ communities offer to promote one another’s work.
Which leads to a question for you.
Do you know of one or more of these that are (a) supporting the creative participants, free of charge; and (b) a community with which you’ve had one or more excellent experiences and which you would heartily recommend?
I’d love to post specifics in my future posts, so let me know, at noelophile@gmail.com.
Meanwhile, stay safe, and well. I’ll close with something one of our members said this morning, during our Toastmasters online meeting:
“We’re isolated. But we’re not alone.”