Together we are strong. Together we are better. Take one.

I like things in threes. I always have and so, when thinking of the theme of this article that I wrote for our local paper, courage, compassion, and community instantly came to mind.

We are living in unprecedented times that is most certain. We are navigating new territory that no one ever expected we would experience in our lifetime. With our families scattered around the country, and the world, it is safe to assume that we are all feeling a wee bit uneasy. I know I am. My daughter and her family are in Christchurch and our other two adult children are back in Canada along with the rest of our broader family. I think I can speak for all when saying that we are pretty much feeling the impact of being isolated, a lack-of certainty, and the ever-growing challenges associated with the Covid-19 pandemic. There’s just so much uncertainty and sometimes it’s hard to stay focused, positive, and even, composed. So, what does this have to do with courage, compassion, and community? The Cambridge dictionary defines lockdown as, ‘a situation in which people are not allowed to enter or leave a building or area freely because of an emergency’. We are on lockdown. Sounds pretty scary, daunting, and prison-like. Personally, I find the term harsh. Mostly because the word intonates ‘we are locked down”. In my world, I like to practice the art of ‘reframing’. Not to diminish the fact that we are indeed in a four week lockdown, but more because of how we can negatively internalize this word; everywhere we look on the TV, internet, news media, social media, everywhere the term lockdown is being used. And, I completely get that this needs to happen so that we can begin to deeply understand just how serious the situation really is. And it is. However, I tend to lean on the positive and focus on hope. I have been trying to reframe this current state of being in lockdown, to think of this more as a time of hope for a better tomorrow and this, for me, takes courage. Courage to keep moving no matter the circumstance, courage to think of how I/we can make a difference every single day in a positive way and, courage to be compassionate, to think of others. We are so blessed to live in Twizel. In this caring, compassionate community where you don’t have to look very far to see first-hand or read about a kind person offering a service or item for free on social media, someone dropping off groceries, working extra hours, our essential workers ensuring we are equipped to ride out this pandemic, those working to save lives, or, the simple smile received as you drive by on your bike. It’s also in the little things, the small things that we can do that make the ordinary extraordinary. So, as we move forward in solitude but together this next week, I humbly offer the words of Marian Wright Edelman, as they completely resonated with me, “Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the purpose of life…”. During these difficult and challenging days maybe ask yourself the following questions: What am I doing to remain hopeful? How am I staying positive? Is there something I can do to serve and care for others? Maybe more? Let’s take the time to reframe this moment in time to be the best version of ourselves, for us, our family, and for our community. Because together, we are stronger. Together, we are better.

I fervently believe this. Stay safe. Stay home. Be kind.

sharon Article first published in The Twizel Update, April 8. Edited for this blog. S.Blanchard