What can I say? What do you say to people right now when they ask - How are you doing? Most of us are sheltering in place and only going out for necessities as ordered and otherwise living in the smallest world possible. My loved ones 5000 miles away are not even leaving their 800 sqft. of space - and will not be for months as the Marshall Law Order continues.
What do you say during a Pandemic when you find out a neighbor's daughter born in February never left the hospital before passing away. When you find out one of the most beautiful people you know is going to battle cancer, again. When you are watching someone you love disappear a little more everyday.
How do YOU answer that question right now - How are you doing?
I volunteered to help make phone calls to a group of Senior Citizens. Some have never answered. Some answer and ask who I am and tell me they are just fine and do not need a phone call. But there is a group, a small group, that I have come to need more a lot more than they need me I am sure. Because as soon as I call and tell them my name and ask "How are you doing?" I know the first thing they will say is, "Well, I'm hanging in there. I'm healthy, I'm keeping busy. I'm good. How are you holding up?"
I need them because this is a group of 70-90 year old's who have seen more life than I have yet. They are Depression babies, Vietnam Vets, Widows and Widowers- they are survivors. They know that this too shall pass. (and they say that a lot) They know that there are brighter days ahead. They have been through hard times and they are still here.
I saw an interview with Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner from their places of quarantine. They spoke about living through the Depression, WWII, about getting through those tough times - together. Mel Brooks burst into song singing a WWII tune "We Did it Before, And We Can Do it Again". The 90 year old woman I call told me she hears about shortages of toilet paper, flour, yeast. She laughed about the toilet paper and said "It's probably because it's much better than the Sears & Roebuck catalog." When her daughter complained about trying to bake bread but the store was out of flour and yeast she said "They need to do rations, like we did. It works! You can't just go to the store everyday and get your flour, you have to wait until you get your next ration ticket. We all had to wait and make do." She then proceeded to give me the recipe for Irish Soda Bread because you don't need yeast.
I talk with an 70 year old Vietnam Vet who was married and shipped out in the same week. He saw his wife again 4 years later. They celebrated their 55 Wedding Anniversary last week via Zoom with Children and Grandchildren. "We just did what we had to do. The secret to a happy marriage is finding the right person and being respectful to each other." After returning from the war he spent the next 35 years serving the community working for Non-profit and religious organizations. He believes it is a privilege to serve others.
A retired Middle School English teacher, an amateur photographer, a life long sewer making masks for her neighbors who are nurses, and lots of homecooks to trade recipes ideas. Each call lifts my spirit and my hope higher. Before we hung up the last time my 90 year old friend said "You know American ends in I CAN!" It certainly does Irene.
America may not look the same for quite awhile, and maybe never. But if these folks can change their lifestyle this late in the game then by goodness I CAN too! If these folks swear that the sun will come out tomorrow then by goodness I CAN too! If these folks can look for the rainbow after the storm then by goodness I CAN too!
To all of those on the front lines right now - Thank you from the bottom of my heart. It is your commitment to service that makes America Great. Know that you are in our hearts and prayers everyday. GodSpeed Warrior.
