Scraps of Joy

Hello Friend,

I just came from a walk around the neighbourhood. Isn’t it a lovely day? Sun shining. Birds singing – actually singing, not just chirping. I heard a bird today that I’ve never taken time to notice before. There it is again! Such a pretty song. Do you know what kind of bird that is? I wish I did.

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Matthew 6:26 NIV

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A few dog-walkers out today on the main streets, but I decided to trudge down the back alleys through the snow, where I like to bike when it’s not winter. And it was in the alleys that I met two separate neighbours I’d never met before. We chatted briefly – from a safe distance, of course. Amazing how strangers become friends when trouble is shared. There is a mutual feeling; we understand one another.

Now, come in! I suppose we could sit outside for our tea, in boots and coats, mittens and mufflers, in order to enjoy the birds. But it’s much more comfortable inside.

Our tea today is so fragrant, I’m sure you can smell it. It’s Maharaja Chai Oolong and Samurai Chai Mate blended together and it’s been steeped for about four-and-a-half minutes. Perfect! If you like, you could add a few crumbles of rock sugar. Mmmmm. But, the oatmeal raisin cookies might be just the right amount of sweetness for you.

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Well here we are, almost at Easter, and still self-isolating. In my province, the estimate is that the crisis will peak in two weeks. So, what we do now affects and effects what the picture looks like in two weeks.

I think people are getting tired of the distancing and self-isolating. I suspect many of us would like to help in some way, and staying home doing our own selfish things doesn’t seem like helping at all.

For my part, I’d like to be able to drop in to see Sweetie and Peaches, one and two provinces away, take the kids for an afternoon, or even a day, to give them a break. Or pick up groceries for Mom and Dad, who live five-and-a-half hours from me, so they can stay carefully cocooned in their condo. I suppose that’s the caregiver in me, trying to keep everyone mentally and physically well. I just need to be more creative in those endeavours now.

I see you eyeing those cookies … they’re so small, hardly any calories at all. Have another. And I’ll just top up your tea.

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The Cowboy delivered food hampers to schoolchildren last week. Upon arrival at the home, he would telephone the recipient to tell them he was leaving it on their doorstep. He got a few waves from windows and even a grateful text back. He was so happy to be able to do something. And I was happy too.

We’ve been hearing so much about all the “frontline” workers: the doctors, nurses, firefighters, grocery clerks and more. Many cities have initiated specific times for the public to thank these workers by honking horns or stepping outside homes to clap for them. It’s a wonderful unified way to show our thanks to people who put themselves in the line of fire every single day.

Mr. Rogers, late host of the popular U.S. children’s TV show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, has been frequently quoted this last month:

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.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers — so many caring people in this world.

Fred Rogers

It is comforting to know that there are many helpers in times like these. But I’d like to add something to Mr. Rogers’ quote, for this unique time in history. I’d like to add that YOU are one of the many helpers.

Are you staying home? Are you self-isolating and washing your hands and distancing from others? Then you are one of the many people who care enough about your neighbours, friends, and family by staying away from them.

Seems counter-intuitive – we’re engaging by not being engaged. It might take a long time. In fact, it might take a lot longer than we hoped. But the approach that might make this challenging time a little easier to accept is if we consider ourselves aligned with the frontline workers. No one person is on a higher level than another.

We are all helping.

So, give yourself a firm pat on the back, dear friend. Pretend it’s from me, or your neighbour, your sister, your dad. Or the stranger down the street. Thank you for helping. Thank you for going through this hard, anxious, tiresome, monotonous, unusual, fascinating, consuming thing called self-isolation.

Now, take a moment and celebrate you.

See you next time.

Joy

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Featured image of Lemon Teapot and Cups by Jill Wellington from Pixabay