7:00 and all’s well.
You may have heard about or seen videos of the ritual in NYC where folks lean out their windows and thank our health care workers and first responders. They shout, bang on objects and cheer to recognize the efforts of these brave people who risk their lives to save ours.
I saw a news segment showing a woman who lives half a mile from her neighbor. When she went outside and let loose, she heard grateful sound from afar and was surprised and pleased.
This got me thinking about our own semi-rural area, so I decided to give it a whirl. On a recent evening I opened my window, which looks out on Route 2. All was quiet. I started drumming on a pot, chanting and singing — Thank you, thank you, one and all, big or small, you save the day, Hip Hip Hooray! and to all of us who do what we must to help ourselves and others, to connect with those we know, those we’ll never see, Yippee, Yippee!
There was no response from the few passing cars but I know the squirrels were listening, the chickadees smiling. Or maybe they’re fleeing the crazy man making a racket. But animals are drawn to peaceful, well-meaning humans. Ding, ding, ding … welcome forsythia and daffodils, sure signs of Spring. But I say to you all, and to all a good night, 7:00 and all’s well, surely love will tell.
I shall repeat this satisfying exercise in communal solidarity as many evenings as possible (the next night’s torrential tsunami made things difficult but wonderfully refreshing to reach out through the rain at twilight).
I encourage you to do the same with your own chosen approach, and to include your children — perfect for housebound rascals. It matters not if no one joins in, but I bet more than a few might. And spread the word to family and friends. We’re all in(side) this together.
David Fersh
Charlemont