Community During Covid and Anytime

In the last year, thanks to the abscence of community, we all had time to think more community- what it was and wasn’t, if we had it or not, who we wanted in it or not, and did we even want it or not, and was it worth the risk.

The inconsistancies by politicians, health care workers, old people and young people became confusing, until it was all anyone could talk about to just get a feel. But the bottom line is that community is inevetible, even if it is your pet or just the opinion monger on the TV or internett – Relationship is existance.

But this isn’t a blog about MY opinion thoughts or actions about community, rather I hope it is an encouragement to enrich your community expereince if you live alone.

I have four entries exploring the idea and would enjoy any suggestions in the comments or even a plug for your blog – because that has been a new and inspirational community for me in this season.

I noticed as we attempted to stay safe and keep others safe that we got more creative and even more healthful in our community seeking. I went for walks more with friends and family more instead of meeting in coffee shops and sitting. Several times we found ourselves sitting at picnic tables in 40 degree weather for any hour with blankets around us.

At first we did not know how to visit my aging mother in law at the home, but we bit the bullet, arranged a weekly time, took blankets, folding chairs and hot cups of coffee in order to visit through the screen!Who cares if it wasn’t ideal, it gave her something to look forward to and it really ended up being an adventure. ( The irony is that despite all the precautions we took, she still died of Covid because the health care workers carried it in).

The children are told to “stay outside” to play with their friends. Ah, now those are words that we haven’t heard since before the video games came out! Our children’s playmates(and now my children’s children) are much easier to tolerate when they are playing hide and seek outdoors than in the living room!

My mother took her card table and folding chairs in her trunk to facilitate coffee with her friends outdoors.

My favorite was a group of old friends who took kerosene heaters and drove their scooters to the donut shop. Everyday in my home time you can see this gathering in the parking lot on Main Street!

Covid surviors.(This was a drive by photo .)

Now that we are opening up again and all the luxuries of inside entertainment lure us away from the communities that we value don’t forget your real friends!