APRIL 16, 2020
“Hey, do you need any toilet paper?”
“Huh?”
“I got a three pack and don’t need it all. Do you need any toilet paper?”
“Let me call my wife… Hey Honey, do we need toilet paper? Well, I don’t know, I delivered this package and the person wants to give me some toilet paper. Charmin. I don’t know how much.”
“It’s free. I know how hard it is to find toilet paper right now and it’s just a thank you for delivering my mail.”
“It’s free, she wants to thank me. Ok, see you at home. Love you.”
“Oh no, not the whole box! I do need some toilet paper. It’s a three pack, take what you need.”
“Oh, ok. I’ll just take one pack then. Thank you very much.”
As awkward as that conversation with the UPS delivery man that I’ve never actually spoken to before was, I’m glad I stuck my head outside my door and asked. I think one of the most important things we can do right now while social distancing is to ask the question, “Hey, what do you need?”
As I picked up Finding Magic today, the book I’m currently reading, I came across this quote that I think sums up my feelings right now.
For me, a small act of kindness, as awkward as it might be at the time, is what continues to give me hope. It’s how I’m being a good neighbor in my community. I live alone in a very small studio apartment. I haven’t really had any conversations face to face or been hugged by anyone in over five weeks. My family and everyone I love is scattered across the world. I feel even more disconnected now, but oddly enough, really connected to strangers. I say “Good Morning” to my mail woman as I walk by almost every day. I see the same people in face masks walking along the trail every morning. We do our usual head nod as we walk past each other. When I call in for takeout at my favorite Asian restaurant down the street, I make sure to add something new each time just to give them more business as I know they are struggling. These small acts of kindness are what continues to give me hope and meaning.
As the world continues to shelter in place, I think it’s important to ask yourself what gives you meaning right now, and how can you stay connected while social distancing? Is it in giving blood at a local blood bank, is it in reaching out and FaceTiming those you love, is it in a community pantry in your neighborhood, or is it in simply asking, “Hey, do you need some toilet paper?”
Libby Weiler attends Church in Bethesda, and she continues to awkwardly help her neighbors as best she can. For more resources on how you can help get involved in the GNN, or reach out for help, please contact us through the GNN homepage.