On my way to doing my laundry today I saw an elderly lady walking down the sidewalk towards the same laundry mat I was about to enter. I was too far away to hear what she was saying but the fact she was raising her middle finger in protest as her face showed she was clearly angry. I didn’t need to hear the actual words to know she wasn’t sharing a little love with those around her.
And that got me to thinking.
This pandemic has forced humanity to physically separate from each other in the name of safety. No welcoming kisses for our visiting relatives. No hugs from the teacher. No pats on the back or congratulatory high fives from coaches or instructors.
It’s a strange world we live in these days where every step or gesture we do to distance ourselves from others seem to reinforce the emotional disconnect from other people. And we blame COVID-19 for our stress, our frustration, even our fear and anger over the uncertainty of the unknown.
But does it really need to be that way?
That poor, frustrated elderly woman who vented her anger at the world could have just as easily have been you or me if we let outside influences dictate how we weather this pandemic. We can shut out our spouse. We can dump our frustration on our children. And we can emotionally distance ourselves from our neighbors because it’s “just too hard” to be kind. It takes too much energy to be “courteous” to a stranger. It’s just “easier” to live in our own self-induced cocoon of self-pity at the cruel fate dealt us and turn our back on the rest of the world.
But does that leave any room for love?
Fred Rogers, of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood fame, once said “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
I’d like to think that’s as true today as it was when Mr. Rogers first said it. Because it’s the helpers who spread the love during these uncertain times. They bring simple comforts to those in need, lift the spirits of the heartbroken, pray with those in spiritual crisis, and look for ways to share the love every day.
The Black Eyed Peas sing, “Where Is The Love?”.
I’m a firm believer it still surrounds each and every one of us.
We just have to put aside our anger, fear, and frustration long enough to see it…
+++++++++++
+++++++
Amelia Earmouse travels back through time to uncover little known events. You may THINK you know your history, but wait until you see what Amelia uncovers in book three of HISTORY’S MYSTERIES.
Eleven-year-old Emma misses her father who’s serving in Europe during World War II. He leaves behind a treasure box with six compartments to be opened during her birthday week. He also tells her to watch for the gris-gris while he is gone. Looking out for swamp creatures and dealing with wartime rationing is hard enough, but now there’s a British refugee staying at the house! How will Emma enjoy her birthday and keep her decision to hunt the gris-gris a secret with a stranger following her around?
+++++++++++
Best-selling, award-winning author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt in TaeKwonDo by day and a ‘ninja’ writer of flash fiction, children’s picture books, chapter books, young adult novels and inspirational essays by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host providing the latest book reviews on all genres of children’s books, and the host of WRITERLY WISDOM, a resource series for writers. Donna is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators and Children’s Book Insider. She is a lover of dark chocolate, going to the beach and adding to her growing book collection.
