Let’s Call This What It Is

We’re all in the same world, hearing the same things, seeing the results of the same decisions being made throughout our towns.

Our most sought-after treasure today, the pearl we strive to leverage and pry from the jaws of commerce – ass wipe.

Our most pressing rule – just as we were instructed by our preschool teacher as she peered down on our fledgling faces with lanyards attached to the glasses dangling on her chest, each of us singing Happy Birthday twice to time our endeavor – wash your damn hands.

In no way do I mean to diminish the threat or question the choices being made at this time. In no way do I intend to downplay the stress and frustration that so many, likely all of us, are feeling. That is not what I am here to do.

How about this? Let’s call it what it is… rather… what it can be – A CHANCE TO COME TOGETHER

(no, God no… not ACTUALLY together... not in a public space)

Let’s come together as a community and help where we can, be caring and kind to each other, and HELP ONE ANOTHER LAUGH/SMILE/BREATHE.

My neighbor today sent me a text message. She is my mother’s age, not someone I have spent much time with other than to visit over the fence, and yet she let me know she was working from home and the boys could stay with her if I needed. My eyes misted as I read. What a kind offer, knowing school was closed for two weeks and both my husband and I have full-time jobs. KINDNESS

My girlfriends and I have a group on messenger to which we all contribute our sometimes-tasteless (let’s be honest, most-times tasteless) whit. Today I received two timely messages. “We are about 3 weeks away from knowing everyone’s true hair color” And “Anyone else feel like life is being written by a 4th grader right now?... ‘and there was this virus and everyone was scared and then the world ran out of toilet paper and there was no school for like a month and it snowed.’” LAUGHTER

Two men that my girlfriends and I watch perform regularly and who I consider friends, the band El Wencho, set up shop on youtube, Facebook, and Twitter to entertain us online. The kicker is that they are doing so, not just because they want to inspire their fans, but because they want to help the community. For each night they were scheduled to play at a local establishment, they will perform on-line and collect tips as they do so, of which they will donate a great percentage to the businesses and employees of these establishments. They know the economic impact of the closures and are doing their part to HELP THE COMMUNITIES that have supported them for so many years.

We are all in this together.

My advice? Find those you love, those who inspire, and those who are generous and be their cheerleaders. Follow their momentum, build upon it, and let it restrict the thrust of negativity we see elsewhere.

Keep calm, wash your hands, and live on! We got this!!

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