What are the silver linings?

There’s been a huge upsurge of community involvement in our village and nearby town. Volunteers are all over FB willing to do shopping, prescription pickups etc. The other thing I’ve noticed this week is much more condemnation for the panic buyers. Def not popular up here!

It’s the kindness of strangers that’s a silver lining for me.

We are in the at risk group so looking at 12 weeks at home and have been surprised at the number of people that have offered practical help. Everything from the postman sending us a message to say he will take outgoing mail as well as deliver, to a lady I only know slightly offering to walk the dog.

From the children next door who drew us a picture telling us they can help with pulling out the rubbish bin to the road and the brand new neighbours across the street telling us to put a note in our window if we need shopping.

In a world where ugliness takes many forms each of these small kindnesses is priceless.

That’s my silver lining ?

We have a lovely young couple next door and yesterday the husband knocked our door and offered their services for shopping should we need them. Not only that, last year when it snowed we went out shopping first thing and when we got back our drive had been cleared of snow and a bag of sand and salt left at the side. Several other neighbours further away have offered their help should we need it. It’s a contrast from the selfish people in supermarkets panic buying every thing in sight.

My young neighbour rang the doorbell yesterday and handed me her telephone number and said if we needed anything not to hesitate to call. She has a busy job in the NHS and a young child, and could easily not have bothered, but I know that’s absolutely not her way. I was very touched. They are lovely people. My son, who lives sixty miles away from us, told me that he is keeping an eye on an elderly lady who lives by the stop where he catches his bus to work. They have become quite friendly and he has given her his telephone number in case she is stuck for anything.

There are a number of villages close to ours and each one is offering services from people in the community - shopping and dog walking, mainly. I am lucky enough to have my children living close by, but it is comforting to know help is at hand should we need it. Also, our nearest post office/grocers is well stocked. I shopped in Lidl recently and people were very polite and considerate - no panic buying, just getting their normal items. Another silver lining for me, is that I'll have time to work in the garden and will be phoning my friends more regularly.

The kindest gesture the other day was from the chap who delivers my prescriptions. It's a family chemist and I knew the owner's parents many years ago.
Anyway the chap told me to ring the chemist if I was having any problems etc. or advice or even needing anything. How nice was that ? He said it's one place which won't be closing.

My neighbour who I rarely see and then only to nod to just rang my doorbell and said to call him if I need anything.

Will we also be seeing less food waste as people start using up leftovers instead of throwing them away

All of these are very heartening and also we won’t be spending as much so if and when some form of normal life resumes we will have a little extra to give away/share/say thank you with.

Living on a retirement development we don’t have young neighbours, only one person under 70, but there is so much good will around locally. A corner shop is offering (free) deliveries, a local Church has a team of,volunteers who will help with anything, just phone and ask. We aren’t Facebook users but I understand there are many offers of local help posted there. It does leave both a warm and safe feeling. People really aren’t so bad.

Spring is coming, evenings are lighter and the weather is improving for walks. So much better than if this started at the beginning of winter.
I'm still going out locally to shop, just for essential fresh supplies about twice a week, just before closing time when it is quieter, and for walks.
Some older people have told me that they're not worried because they're healthy, which is good but the immune system still declines with age.

The National Trust is keeping grounds, not houses, or cafes open and free of charge which is good for enjoying the fresh air.

Another silver lining - if you manage to get a grocery delivery slot at least you know you’ll be in to receive it.