A Message of Care, Hope and Help
March 18, 2020
We are all reeling, in the midst of one of the most daunting and frightening health crises we have ever known.
It is starkly clear that we must pay ever more vigilant attention and take ever more careful action at every move, both in our own self-care and lifestyle and in our contact with others. The pressure can be overwhelming.
As a relatively older person with a history of lung related issues who is currently self-quarantined, I share those fears… and greatly worry about getting or giving the virus to the people I love so dearly. My daughter came out to visit me yesterday and we had to take such care to avoid touching the same things and keeping 6 feet apart at all times.
Yes, we are in a time when we must ever watch carefully where we walk and what and who we touch.
But while we may not be able to physically touch each other these days, we can and must increase the frequency of the other ways we can touch each other’s hearts and lives, find comfort in sharing our fears and finding the hope, strategies and resolve to get through this time.
Because a way to contain this virus will certainly come…we’re just not sure how soon.
We all come from and share a wonderful tradition of caring, compassion and courage…and of heart, hope and healing.
Those values have guided and carried all of us throughout our personal, professional and spiritual lives.
They have been at the heart of who we are and why and how we do this work.
In these times, my heart goes out to all of you, whether you give, share or receive services and supports, who are homebound, disconnected and uncertain of what’s to come.
It is at times like these that we need to show up the most and I’m so heartened by all of the creative efforts people are taking to remotely touch each other using the phone, the text, the apps and the net to support and inform each other.
And I’m especially moved and grateful to all of the very courageous ones who are showing up at essential work sites to provide critically needed in-person services, despite the risk. Please know how deeply grateful we all are for your extraordinary and unforgettable service.
Starting next week, NYAPRS will be hosting a series of free webinars aimed at sharing all of the ways people are finding to stay connected and to provide service and support at a time when they have never been needed more.
Please be on the lookout for details, starting tomorrow.
In the meantime, please stay safe, strong, careful and connected.
And please feel free to reach back to share your thoughts and feelings to me at harveyr@nyaprs.org.
The following was shared by NYAPRS’ Michael Ballester.
