The media is filled with daily stories about Covid-19, political dramas, increased incidences of crimes and scams, and other stories that can cause us to feel depressed and worried. It’s hard to find the positive meanings behind these current events and I’d like to share with you a different perspective about the times we are living in right now.

1. First of all, we’re seeing that there is great humanity in our world. People have been thinking outside the box to maintain some sort of human connection, such as visiting a loved one who is in a nursing home just to stand outside their building and talk through the glass. Auto manufacturers, candle manufacturers, distilleries, just to name a few, have converted their machinery so that they can now make personal protective masks, gowns, and other protective equipment for the community. There are so many other examples of the greatness of our humanity.

2. Second, there is the gift of more time. We see families spending more time together, doing exercises from a TV program or participating in the education of their children, seniors who seldom stayed at home in the past now cooking for themselves and their neighbors down the hall, people walking and riding bikes and doing more creative activities outdoors, and certainly, our home improvement centers are selling many more plants, shrubs, garden seeds and other supplies than ever before. People are beautifying their homes inside and out.

3. Thirdly, there is the gift of generosity. I have seen such power of what generosity can do. The New Hampshire Food Bank received over a million dollars in donations from so many people like you who care about providing food for others less fortunate. People are volunteering to deliver food to the needy. And there are those who are tending to the care, safety and wellness of our health care workers, first responders, and all other essential personnel.

4. Speaking of essential personnel, we hopefully by now have realized that in every single job there is out there, from grocery store employees, newspaper editors and carriers, delivery drivers, recycling center employees, senior center employees, auto repair workers, hair stylists, post office employees, pet supply store workers, gas station attendants, veterinarians and technicians, laboratory employees, volunteers, health care workers, first responders, school employees, and every other type of job there is out there, every single employee is to be honored and recognized for what they do for their community. This pandemic has opened up our eyes to the fact that EVERYONE MATTERS, ALL JOBS AND ALL WORKERS ARE ESSENTIAL TO US AND ALL OUR LOVED ONES, AND THAT LIFE IS SO PRECIOUS,

THANK YOU TO ALL. PLEASE STAY WELL AND STAY SAFE.