Angela Maiers spread the words "you matter" on the Internet. These are important words and words that have stuck as I think of my main roles in life as family member and teacher. As we continue to live through these stay-at-home COVID-19 days, one contribution we can make is to perform acts of kindness that let others know that they matter. We can build each other up with kind words and other acts of kindness. And if we're really struggling in any way, we can simply reach out to others to receive those kind words and acts of kindness.
What will you do?
Some are busy making masks and other PPEs to help medical staff. Still more are contributing to COVID-19 funds, local food banks, and other organizations who are ready to help those impacted most. Others are giving blood, checking in on family members and neighbors, and taking care of their children and students. There are the countless medical staff and essential workers too who are working everyday to keep people fed, take care of the sick, and lead positive efforts to mitigate the coronavirus threat and destruction.
What can I do?
Today I'll focus on family members by cooking foods to help them celebrate Easter and birthdays at their home. I'll prep for a virtual birthday celebration tonight with some fun online games and I'll prep for a virtual family gathering tomorrow with some old pictures of good times past. I've got a host of other projects to do to support the family too. I'll focus on the school team and students too looking for ways to keep the teaching/learning community strong and forward moving in meaningful ways. In the days ahead, once things settle down, I'll likely contribute in other ways too.
It doesn't matter how small your contribution is, but if it is directed towards making people feel like they matter in meaningful ways, that's positive. I know that when the neighbors called my elderly dad just to check in that meant so much to him--those calls really boosted his energy during these challenging days. We all matter during these days and we can all do something to boost the spirit of others and ourselves too. Onward.