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We Have Each Other!
Extended isolation is killing us, physically and emotionally. Suicides, drug overdoses, and untended health problems are deadly outcomes during this virus pandemic. But I’m here with positive news and a way for us to remind each other that we are in this together. Rather than dwell on what we can’t do, I’m choosing to focus on what we can do.
I’ve finally realized that the most important thing for me to do is to reduce my isolation! It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out. Here are some of the steps I’m going to take:
- Connect with one friend per day. That means I will make a phone call or send a personal note. Now I dislike talking on the phone, but if I keep it to a few minutes, it will be worth it. Hearing the other person’s voice, finding something to laugh at (I usually make an easy victim), or telling a story will lighten my load. Since I know others are busy, I will first ask if they have a couple of minutes, and then say I won’t be long. I could call people all over the country that I haven’t talked to in ages. It would be fun to catch up, and share our lives. I’m feeling better just talking about it!
- I will send an email just to say I’m thinking of that person. Remind him or her of a memory we shared or a joke I’ve heard. (Well, maybe not a joke because I’m terrible at punch lines.) I would make a point to only include funny, light, or heartfelt comments. It shouldn’t be a long email, but just a way to make a sweet connection.
- Before the virus, I was in the process of organizing a Jewish group. It was called Teshuvah, and after our first meeting, the virus hit. I’ve only rarely been in touch since we can’t get together. We were going to meet with an agenda to become better acquainted with the Jewish holidays. Instead, for each holiday I will send out a blurb, maybe call it, “Did You Know,” with something unlikely to be known about the holiday, maybe include a quote from a well-known Jewish teacher. It will keep the connections going and maybe add a few new people. I could do this every couple of weeks.
But I realize that I also have relationships with like-minded Conservative people all over the country! I have all of you, my Ricochet friends! I would like to think of these relationships as a Web of Friendship, may be present in every state of the Union. I will want to know that I have engaged, sustained, and continually supported all of you, even after the election, no matter what happens. So here’s my proposal:
I’d love to hear where everyone lives! You only need to share your state and include a word of support for every Ricochetti. No cost, no obligation.
I’ll start it out: I live in Central Florida, and my message to all of you is that I have your back no matter what the election outcome is. We’re in this together!
Does anyone else want to chime in?
Published in Culture
I recommend a good walk (30-45 minutes) every day around the neighborhood. I have a dog who is happier when she gets that walk, and I find I’m happier too. It gets me to see people, the human version of dogs sniffing out other dogs. :-P It gets me into some conversation, and it gets me some fresh air. I never had time for one during the week before the virus hit. Commuting to work exhausted almost all the free time. Now I can do it as a break from work or more likely after work.
Whiskey Rebellion Country! Where portraits of Alexander Hamilton are often hung upside down to this day! Contrarians, all. One of the reasons I feel so at home, I think.
I live in Fuquay Varina, NC, but not in the town limits. It is just south of Raleigh. Regardless of what happens next month, we ARE in this together and can (hopefully) rejoice together or console each other before we get right back in the fight to keep our country free. I’ve been listening to various history podcasts lately. What I’ve come to realize is you can take any slice of history and people probably thought it was the end of their world as they knew it. But guess what, life went on. Maybe not as nice, but they overcame and prospered. Keep your chin up! Try to be as optimistic as the President.
Beautifully said, @blondie! I agree with all you say. Thanks.
We are here in rural Welfare, TX. I have to say that other than the mask mandate, we are mostly back to normal here. We had started meeting another couple weekly to have dinner and watch The Crown at each other’s homes and kept it up through COVID. We meet another couple for dinner at home on a different night each week. These dinner dates were crucial during the early stages when even going to the grocery store was an ordeal. Now we are eating out a couple of times most weeks. Now, we had some visitors from Houston who were surprised (and pleased) about how much more casual people were here about social distancing and mask wearing. I guess it’s still pretty serious in the Texas big cities (largely leftist enclaves anyway). What I really love about Ricochet is the absence of screaming. People are passionate but always willing to explain their views rather than shout. I don’t remember anyone writing a comment in all caps, and it seems endemic on other forums I frequent on line.
I ascribe that to the fact that 1)most folks here are fairly rational, and 2)Ricochet does actually have a code of conduct that mitigates against screaming.
Although much maligned, often flouted (sometimes in ways that have never particularly bothered me) and (as I’ve said often and openly) in need of some revision, the CoC does at least provide a baseline for the moderators and editors to work from.
Phoenix AZ.
In the last month, am 17-83-3 in Go Fish. Have been taunted by 6 year olds.
Oh my gosh! You poor thing! Hang in there!
After Friday, I’ll be 5 minutes away!
Write letters to your local newspapers at least once a week. They should all reflect this:
Yippee!
Pessimistic fatalism?
One day I think that you and I are going to be waiting on the same Metra platform and not even know it. Not coming to Moscow- ahem- Chicago though, are you? I’m weighing leaving at the end of the school year.
You can report back and let us know about your experience!
Round Rock, TX
It has been a very hard year personally. I am not sure I would have made it through without Ricochet. I have learned a lot from you all.
Not too far away, to start with.
Well, everyone knows where I am. But, Susan, just wanted to drop by to ask you please not ever say “we’re in this together” again. A phrase that now makes me want to barf.
Good point.
@justmeinaz, sorry it bothers you, but it’s true. Wouldn’t you say we conservatives and Republicans are in this together. I’m not going to let the Left steal one of the terms that is perfectly legitimate!
Not sure what I’d teach. I haven’t seen any job openings for generalist know-nothings.
Still, in all seriousness, I am considering it. It beats pushing papers, which is how I spend my days now.
I was referring more to it’s ubiquitous use in every commercial, TV show, magazine ad, public service announcement, covid news, etc, etc, etc.
Cowtown, The Republic of TEXAS.
Holey moley… I didn’t realize it’s been over 10 years Here.
You at least had a chance to negotiate, it sounds like.
Bluest of blue-state Maryland.
Just putting one foot in front of the other, trying to get on with things, and trying to be optimistic regardless of how things turn out next week🙂
It is an honor and a pleasure to share the interwebbies with the collective Ricochetti.
Anytime someone within range of Baltimore would like to experience Shabbos, just let me know (@susanquinn and @she might warn you off, so check with them first)!
Gotcha beat here. I live in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. I keep my political views hidden from my neighbors.
Greenville, South Carolina.
Yes, yes, I ‘m voting for Lindsey (back to it now that he has developed some sort of spine).
I was on a Trick or Treat Trail last night from church. The trees kept most of the rain off. The kids had a blast and I saw people.
Today I’ve also contacted two people in different time zones to tell them how lovely they are as human beings. It’s been a good day.
To give y’all a better idea, Andrew Jackson was born somewhere around here. No one really knows exactly where. Could have been NC, could have been SC.
Oh I didn’t realize you were asking. Staten Island, NY, which is one of the five boroughs of New York City. The only conservative bastion in this liberal hell. Our new state motto: We’ve Got A Place to Get Rid of Your Grandma. Our new city motto: The Abortion Capital of the USA. If we don’t kill them when they’re young, we get them when their old.
I make light of it, but it’s disgraceful.
I’m a California girl that ended up on the Delmarva peninsula 30 years ago. Still trying to figure out why the sun comes rises over the ocean instead of the other way round.
Been more or less lurking on Ricochet for over 9 years now. You’d think I’d eventually get up the gumption to contribute now and then. Nevertheless, I offer my quiet goodwill and thanks for the many thought provoking posts over the years.