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We Should Have Been Nicer for Much Longer
Kindness was right there and we let it slip passed us.
The day after my company shut down formal operations and sent us home to work remotely for an indefinite amount of time, calls coming into me sounded different. Before getting to the real question someone had, they asked, “How are you? Are you and your family alright?” They meant it. You could hear it in their voice.
That moment of human kindness gave me a minute to wipe out from in front of my face all the dust had been kicked up in our lives. I was frustrated, confused, and anxious. Soft-spoken words settled me down. As much as I needed them, I needed to give them. Every conversation was an opportunity to wish someone well. I took it.
When the world seems dark, kindness feels like comfort. It was good while it lasted.
We were all concerned about each other. We asked others if they were safe. We spoke with care. We found ways to lift someone’s spirits while staying a safe distance from them. We thanked service workers who didn’t get the luxury of staying in their homes. We brought food to people who were furloughed. We were nice. We were kind. We were human. It lasted a hot minute.
Almost 90 days ago our world changed and our hearts went with it. For the first time in a long time…