Kindness During COVID-19

During cancer, my sister and I were lucky enough to be on the receiving end of so much kindness, compassion and love from others. As I have watched the country endure the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been warmed by the actions of others.

Where I live, people have come together to help those most vulnerable. Some have turned book-sharing boxes into food banks. Friends have come together to shop and deliver groceries for those who are currently battling cancer. Businesses have recently announced specialty hours for seniors, and those who are immune-compromised so that they can shop in a safe space before everything is gone or over-populated.

Having said that, this pandemic has also not brought out the best in everyone. It has saddened me to see the selfishness practiced by those hoarding more than they need. And those who have chosen not to practice social distancing or self-quarantine, because they either do not seem to care or seem to understand that danger that their choices create for others.

I am not sure what enduring cancer during a pandemic would look like, as going through cancer was hard enough to do. While my sister battled cancer, we were incredibly lucky to have support from so many. To be surrounded by people who did all that they could to ensure that they followed guidelines created by her care team. They chose to educate themselves to learn about her illness and the reason why it was necessary to listen and not ignore what was being said.

Cancer is often considered to be one of the worst things that can happen in life. Similarly, COVID-19 is most likely going to be one of the worst things that most of us experience in our lives. Despite how terrible their presences are in our lives, how we approach their happenings makes all the difference as to how we come out on the other side.

I encourage everybody to practice kindness and compassion during this time to help create more good in this world during a time when we need it most.