by Susie Merz
The carpets are faded and the wallpaper in the lobby was current in the 1980’s. It might not be much to look at, but the apartment building I live in turns out to house some kind and generous people.
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In the first week or so of the ‘stay at home’ order during the pandemic, someone posted a sign in several places saying “Hey, if you need to be quarantined and cannot go out, here is a list of people you can call to help you.” Several people had signed their names and listed a phone number.
The following week, a box appeared in the lobby with a bunch of food items in it. A sign on the box said, “Take what you need, put in what you can give.” Our own little food bank.
A few days later, a colorfully lettered sign was posted on the glass facing out to the front buzzer saying, “THANK YOU to the delivery people and postal workers!” Thank you for working to bring us our mail and our packages and to deliver our take-out when we are tired of cooking.
I sorted through some books and brought a couple of them down to a shelf behind the food box. Two compilations of “The Far Side” comics, by Gary Larson. I had plenty of years to enjoy them, it was time to pass them along for someone else to have a few laughs.
It feels at times like we are living in a Far Side comic, some alternate version of reality that could be someone’s bad dream, but in fact is our day to day life. The strange new rules have begun to seep into our consciousness. I found myself watching a show the other night and startling when one character sat down close by another. “They’re not physical distancing!” I thought.
In spite of all the distressing and terrible things happening right now, it would be nice to believe that when things are stripped away, the usual comforts and freedoms as we move through our lives, that there we find kindness and generosity, and resilience.
My apartment building neighbors responsible for the signs and food are probably kind and generous people on a consistent basis in their lives, but I could not have known that before. Our resilience as people is so interconnected, it depends on one another. Reaching out, giving, being creative with how to help, and at the same time receiving and accepting the care of others.
I do not know who it was that put the 8 pack of toilet paper in the lobby with a sign, “Just one each please”, but I do know that they saved me last week. I needed that roll of toilet paper.
We need each other. The “we’re all in this together” is not just a cliché. May the best of who we are as people shine through in this dark time. This is our resilience and our humanity.
Susie Merz first came to Callanish as a retreat participant in 2015 and has since joined the staff team as a clinical counsellor. She has worked as a therapist for over 14 years, both in non-profit agencies and in her own counselling practice.