Is This A Dream?

Common sense is beginning to set in. Social distance has now become the normal pattern. I’m not going to sugar-coat it, I was a hugger. I called everyone ‘darling’ and opened up my arms wide to embrace whoever was in front of me. Not anymore, however – that is a no-no! Now, a smile has to suffice in place of the warm body press that I used to exchange.

Yet, even with the profound human changes that have taken place, I am still hopeful because I see an awakening beginning to happen, and it is remarkable. The infectiousness of the corona virus has a side effect – it’s Kindness! What I am seeing is prevalent – kindness is sprouting up everywhere even in the most unlikely places. It is cropping up in places that usually require courage and strength before walking through the door. Now, it’s become the unimagined contagion; more and more people are adopting a mantra of ‘pay it forward’.

From what I have witnessed, we humans are coming together. I saw a college-aged student stop and help an elderly lady load her groceries. I immediately thought of a favorite John Prine song ‘Hello In There’, it was beautiful. I also watched as a grocery clerk reached in her pocket to help pay for a young mother’s milk order, I suppose ‘just because’. And, I observed a Harley-riding bandana-wearing gentleman dressed in leathers holding up a ‘Thank You’ sign outside of a hospital’s changing shift. Each of these were extraordinary acts of kindness borne out of human crisis.

And to those who turned canceled events into a opportunity to give back, I stand in awe. I am so enamored by these acts of greatness, that if I am dreaming, I don’t want to wake up!

This new awakening of the human spirit is a welcome and sorely missed societal attribute. I believe that as we sail to the end this pandemic we will all emerge stronger in character and kinder in heart, for that is what the angels have been dreaming up! And, I have that on High authority!