Stories of Hope

The empty grocery store shelves I saw this morning reminded me of how fortunate I am to live in America. Our temporary inconvenience pales in comparison to countries where food shortages are a way of life.

Some shoppers had masks, some gloves. Most used hand sanitizer and kept their social distance. All had the glum look of someone who just came from a funeral. Where is our sense of optimism hiding?

A lot of smart people are solving the coronavirus, and there is actually bipartisan effort to create legislation to protect our economy. There will be setbacks along the way because we don’t know what we don’t know. But I am impressed with the speed, focus, and intensity of the problem solvers.

Arriving home, I noticed that the lawn has started greening up and would probably need to be cut soon; a chore that after all of the bad news of late I’m looking forward to. I thought about my neighbors who just yesterday had their first child. And I knew at that instant that we’ll all be all right.

Spring is always a new start and for America and Americans, the best days are always yet to come. ~Bill S.

As I walked four miles last evening on the Spanish Fork River Trail, listening to birds, watching new plants sprouting, and avoiding deer using the trail alongside me, it became apparent that the rest of life on this planet is blissfully unaware of our panic. Life is going on whether we humans spin in circles or not.

This has had only positive effects on the natural world. Less consumption, pollution, disruption and mayhem must be the perspective of every living nonhuman thing I saw last night. Did you see the canals in Venice? For the first time in decades the water is clear enough to see the fish, and the swans have returned.

Would the planet miss us if we left? Is this a massive karmic comeuppance for our species?

I do not know, but I do hope that slowing down and realizing we can be our own worst enemies becomes a permanent guiding principle and not a transient thought remembered vaguely when this crisis is past. ~Elizabeth B.

I have turned my Christmas window candles back on. It’s the smallest gesture imaginable, and it isn’t on a par with sending a $1,000 check or volunteering to test a vaccine. It isn’t as important as supplying ventilators or intensive care unit beds.

But at a time when I can’t go out and hug my neighbors, it sends the message that, as real and scary as the virus situation is, we will get through it.

We will learn lessons that will help us to be better and do better in our shared future. Dark as this time might be, history and our own hearts tell us that light always overcomes darkness.

If you drive past my home, don’t think that I’m stuck in December. I’m only sending a message that says the light is stronger than the dark; both the light of human wisdom and goodness and the light of life and creation itself. ~Carol H.

“Be Calm, be kind and be American.”

I was chatting with my longtime friend Glenda on my birthday call when I happened to mention that I was running out of toilet paper at a bad time. The next morning, she showed up and put this package on my front mat, waved, and drove off. There will be many such moments in the future that will stand out in our minds when we look back at this strange event; this will be one of the anecdotes I’ll remember.

I’ve known Glenda since 1963 when we both lived in the Boston area. We both gravitated to Utah and joined a woman’s group in the turbulent 1970s and have seen each other through turbulent times. Good times or bad, having someone who knows you well helps you ground yourself and celebrate the joys of life and weather the downs. Longtime good friends are one of the great treasures in life. ~Ros C.

Many of us are experiencing a “new” normal. Remaining at home, working from home, and limiting our exposure in public places. We may be experiencing new relationships with our family and friends. The internet has become essential to obtain the news and social connections.

Watching the count of new COVID-19 cases has become a preoccupation. One wonders what we can do to have a positive impact.

Businesses that were forced to close could use support by purchasing a gift certificate or by ordering online for takeout. Make masks for hospitals, first responders and police. American businesses have stepped up to make hand sanitizers, ventilators and provide meals for school kids.

America has faced this before, during World War II and 9/11. We have stepped forward to do our part. We can show our support by displaying the flag. We will get through this.

Be calm, be kind, and be American. ~Sheila B.