Right now, we need kindness more than anything. Recently, have you experienced a special kindness, or helped to spread a little kindness? Let us know! ShenCoTRUTH: Reflections By Shenandoah Conservatory Students

There are people very close to me (not physically, of course) that have really been feeling the pressure of being isolated. The mental toll of this situation has taken a physical toll, and people are truly feeling the difference between how they should react and how they need to react (for their own benefit). It truly does not take much to reach out to a loved one and send them a kind word and well wishes and I encourage anyone of any age to do so!

Perhaps the sweetest kindness I have witnessed over these last 5 weeks (and there have been many) came from my own son. He and I go for walks every single day in the 3 o’clock hour. One particular day we noticed a little earthworm on the sidewalk. He reached down and picked the earthworm up and gently set him in the grass. This really touched my heart. You see, my son is a 13 year old, special needs, highly ADHD, very tall (5’9″), and often tricky young man. He has taught me a great deal of patience during his little life, and this small, seemingly insignificant moment where he moved a tiny little earthworm to safety gave me a great deal of pause for how the very small things can have the greatest impact on a life. I’m grateful for my son’s quiet example of kindness and for the lesson that he taught me.

I made a quilt for my mom.

A few days ago, my mom and I decided to buy A TON of sidewalk chalk to decorate our driveway for all the people we now have walking by. The movement we are participating in (#chalkthewalk) aims to give people joy and encouragement in times of struggle. So, we decided to chalk our favorite Fleetwood Mac song quote that really captures a mindset many of us are trying to keep now. The true reward has been seeing the smiles on our neighbors faces when they walk by, smiles that we have not seen in a while. 🙂

The families I do dog walking for have been so kind to me over the past month, by putting together an easter basket for me, sending lots of home cooked meals my way, and by checking up on me to make sure I’m doing ok. I have been paying this forward by baking! Every weekend I bake a few dozen cookies and do porch drop-offs for the people still here in Winchester.