Making meaningful connections at a time of such social isolation has helped us all carry on during this tumultuous year.
Cassie has been fortunate to meet some extraordinary senior citizens who welcomed her into their worlds. Some were hesitant at first, both in person and over zoom, but introductions were made and friendships emerged. Cassie and her new connections bonded while they painted Kindness Rocks together. They discussed their hobbies and interests, shared family and pet photos, and brought light into darkened days.
So much has been upended this year. Carrying on family traditions, from generation to generation, and creating new one’s has been so vital in the pandemic year that wasn’t yet still is.
Staying connected has truly been chicken soup for our souls.
Another family bonding tradition is just that: homemade chicken soup with matzah balls. “Food is love” has been passed down through this recipe from my Grandma Ida to me, and now to the girls. We make a huge vat of it and distribute servings as liquid gold whenever someone’s in need of ‘Jewish penicillin,’ guaranteed to cure most maladies. Alas, not Covid19.
This comfort food nourishes one's body and especially one's spirit.
My mom, and the girls’ grandmother, Gladys got gravely ill in the fall and was hospitalized. We embarked on our big banner tradition. In this case ‘Get Well Grandma Gladys,’ which we filled with her trademark red lipstick kisses. Prohibited visits within the hospital and rehab center could not stop us from sharing our love with her any which way we could.
Making and sharing the banner, personalizing Kindness Rocks, and preparing the chicken soup connected us all in spite of everything.
Staying connected has truly been chicken soup for our souls.
Alas, Cassie’s Bat Mitzvah in March 2021 was a Zoom event. We couldn’t host the grand celebration that traditionally follows the service. So, we ‘flipped it like a pancake,’--our saying when life goes off the rails--and found yet another silver lining. With zoom, family and friends who would otherwise not have been able to attend got to enjoy the experience with us. They witnessed her Bat Mitzvah rites of passage, re-connected, and shared in her milestone.
As these times called for being adaptable, we distributed painting kits with the ocean stones which would’ve adorned each table’s centerpiece.
People chose and painted their own meaningful word or phrase on their Kindness Rock to share on zoom and unite in celebrating Cassie and her accomplishments.
For those folks who move in my professional circles, you are also invited to paint a rock with Cassie and me.
We’re also happy to paint one for you. Let us know what you’d prefer here and we’ll get right on it.
We hope you and your loved ones remain safe. Here’s to adapting, connecting, and finding the silver linings of the life that we choose to carry forward.
