Acts of kindness and giving in a time of trepidation with coronavirus warm the heart
As we in Miami join the country and the rest of world in dealing with the novel coronavirus crisis it is good to remember the kind deeds of others.
This week, while always practicing social distancing, my busy and caring neighbors and friends stepped in to help me.
One neighbor found for me the last bag of flour at CVS. She and her husband also dropped off a huge bag of frozen blueberries and bags of frozen vegetables.
This while they take care of three children who are now home from closed schools and elderly parents.
When the alerts went out that acetaminophen is the only fever-reducer we should use, my nephew, who is always willing to help, found a bottle for me at Publix.
He drove by and threw the paper bag with the box inside on my front lawn. His son has been coughing, he told me, and he didn’t want to possibly infect me. I’m sure my neighbors must have thought something else was in the bag. And, yes, I sprayed down the bag.
My longtime sweet friend, who is trying to remotely calm and support her elderly family members and her daughter in New York City, found me a big bag of rice and my favorite Milano cookies. She left them on my porch after texting “I Purelled and Cloroxed myself as much as possible.”
Did we ever think we would read this sort of text?
Another neighbor who grows a garden with her children offered to drop off some tomatoes and greens. And some extra shakshuka, a hearty and spicy Mediterranean dish she was making.
As neighbors and friends we all continue to reach out regularly through texts and calls of support.
We are all experiencing this. We are there, as we have always been, in times of troubles, and joy.
And in these extraordinary times something to remember is that we can all teach each other.
And especially, we can teach our children.
We can teach about love, caring, and giving. Even when it is simply a big bag of blueberries, or a text to say hello, and only gratitude is what can be given in return.
What are you grateful for?
My health issues prevent me from doing anything other than trying to share stories of safety and positivity in the time of COVID-19.
My cousin in quarantine outside Barcelona sent me a YouTube video of her daughter’s music teacher playing songs for her students. The children were so happy for the connection. Teachers all over the world are creating new ways to help their students learn. Thank you, always, teachers.
So, what am I grateful for?
In addition to caring friends and family, I am grateful for the garbage, recycling and trash collectors.
I am thankful for our firefighters and police officers. I am grateful for my mail carriers.
I am grateful for the delivery workers who are swamped getting everyone their orders of food and supplies.
I am thankful my propane delivery person made an extra effort to fill up my tank so I can cook.
And, of course, I am eternally grateful to my three children who worry and look out for me. Even from the coronavirus epicenter in Seattle.
How are you helping? Who are you grateful for? How are you staying safe?
Let me know in email. I would love to share your stories. Write to me at ChristinaMMayo@gmail.com
And please don’t forget to add the extra “M” in my address. My e-friend in New York City, who is also named Christina Mayo, forwards me emails that go to her instead of me, but she doesn’t check every day. Our friendship through our same names is a good story, for another time.
Smoke detectors for those in need
Just in time before the world shifted in preparations for stopping the spread of coronavirus, Florida Power & Light Company and Red Cross volunteers visited more than 76 Hialeah homes to install smoke detectors.
Their efforts were to raise awareness and lower the number of fire- and burn-related injuries.
Working together on March 7, before social distancing went into effect, the volunteers were involved in one of 23 projects that make up FPL’s annual Power to Care Week. During the week of March 2-7, employees tackled projects in 13 counties throughout FPL’s service area.
Power to Care Week is in its 12th year and the initiative has grown from one day to an entire week with more than 1,000 volunteers and their families getting out to improve their communities.
The American Red Cross is one of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations “dedicated to providing emergency assistance, disaster relief, and disaster preparedness education.”
The recent efforts support this mission by helping hundreds of residents prepare for a potential emergency in their homes.
“Our employees take great pride in giving back to the communities where we live and work, and that’s what Power to Care volunteering is all about,” said Addys Kuryla, external affairs manager for FPL.
“During Power to Care Week, held the first week of March, FPL volunteers partnered with organizations like the American Red Cross to tackle 23 volunteer projects in 13 counties throughout our service area. We were happy to team up with the American Red Cross to install free smoke alarms and help heighten the importance of fire safety for Hialeah residents.”
If you have news for this column, write to ChristinaMMayo@gmail.com.