People Who Need People

Those of us who have now reached the ripe, not-so-old age of retirement, have experienced many crises in our lives - the Vietnam War, the crash of 2009, that fateful day in September, 2011, and now this novel coronavirus that has brought the world to its knees. We have learned to do what we’re told, step up to our responsibilities, and depend on our strength, resilience, and federal government to help us survive.  While at least one of those options hasn’t always worked out, we knew in our hearts that Americans would not abandon each other in time of need.

For me, first it was the cancellation of all my continuing education classes, which had fed me intellectually throughout my first year and a half of retirement. Then, one by one, yoga classes, water fitness classes, theaters, movies, and god forbid, restaurants and bars began to shut their doors.  Thank goodness I enjoy long walks and bike riding, and I am saying silent prayers that we aren’t locked down from getting outside to find our zen!

But in the midst of all the hardships, I am painfully aware that my situation bears no resemblance to so many others who have lost their jobs, their health, their incomes, and for older people especially, their social interaction that was by nature already limited.

In light of this new-found free time, I pondered what I could do to lighten the load of those in need during this unwelcome crisis. I did not have to look far,  as I thought about the first-grader that I tutor through the YMCA.   She is shy, but a super reader who takes pride in doing well.  I knew she might enjoy having more books at her home, so I called to inquire about doing that.  Her mother, who speaks some English, understood that I wanted to bring some books to her daughter, and she was happy for me to come by.   I was excited to be useful, and it did my soul good to see her smiling face as I kept my distance at the front  door, and handed her mother a bag of new books to pass to her!

I shared this moment with one of my yoga teachers, who has two young children of her own, and she offered to provide toys and art supplies that my student might like as well! I’m planning a second visit to their house soon. And now both my yoga teacher and I are grateful that we could make even a small difference to one person who is missing out while school remains closed!

I’ve also taken time to stay in touch with some older folks who have been special to me at various times during my life. With my former guidance counselor from high school, who lives in the area, I had a wonderful conversation about creative writing (which she had taught me) and books that we’re reading.  I called my Aunt, who lives with her son and his wife in our hometown,  and assured her that I would come get her to take her fishing at the Coast as soon as it was safe to do so!  She said she would hold me to it, and it’s a promise that I intend to keep!  Actually, my brother-in-law will do the fishing, but I’ll get her there and keep her entertained on the drive to and from the coast!

As these times that try men’s, and women’s, souls, continue to bear down on us, I am reminded of how we are all desperate to touch each other’s lives, even if that touching must be virtual right now! In the stirring words of Barbra Streisand, it’s so true that  “people who need people, are the luckiest people in the world.”  And just in how my heart has been warmed lately over my brief encounters, I feel very lucky indeed!