For Love Of Community

My husband & I took an early morning walk today enjoying the "Wonderland likeness" of Spring 2020 in our lovely Village of Lisle. It was surreal to reflect on the moment in the morning, compared to the current Global situations.

Understandably, words of angst about isolation are being expressed by many of us as we remain in our homes. During my walk, I thought about an experience my husband shared of his own isolation experience during military survival school training. As a young Navy aviator, he was placed in a small container with hands tied to a stick, and placed behind his back. Being of strong Faith, during his isolation he said the Books of the Bible . . . . backwards, among other things, to keep his mind in a positive place. While he assumed he would eventually be released he did not know when or in what physical condition he would be in. He could only Hope it would be soon.

During a recent interview, Astronaunt Scott Kelly said he conducted a study on isolation while in Space for one year. He said of importance in getting through the period of isolation he found it helpful to: 1) establish and maintain structure; 2) keep a journal; 3) the importance of exercise / physical movement; and 4) stay connected to others.

To keep our Family, our Friends, and our Country safe, it is now every American's turn to journey the path of isolation. However, unlike ever before in our Country's history, we are fortunate that we can utilize alternatives to face-to-face connecting while staying safe - and being creative.

We can reach out to those who have lost their jobs. We can attend an uplifting Church Service online. By digital audio video connecting we can simultaneously sit at our respective tables to share a meal with family and/or friends as we enjoy one another. We can play games with family and friends. We can do a safety check of our loved ones. We can contact our healthcare provider. We can continue our education online. We can explore endless topics of interest throughout the entire World learning something new and fun everyday for all ages! We can actually write letters and cards to friends and family and to shut-ins and to our military. We can make a list of questions to ask in an interview of our favorite relative. We can make videos to share. We can teach our children to cook and/or to do their laundry. We can have a dance party with our Grandchildren. We can begin preparing our yards for Spring planting. . . . the list to help us get through the isolation is endless.

Though we do not know the time frame of this inconvenience called "social distancing", we can have Hope that if we diligently follow the instructions provided to us by our healthcare experts, this portion of our World crisis will resolve sooner, rather than later.

"Hope is a powerful life force which enables us to face and overcome challenges." (Saul Levine M.D.)