Amidst the shadow of death, loss, loneliness, and strife that this pandemic has cast over our world, I have seen the sun shine through like never before.

Kindness. Compassion. Loyalty. Unity. Hope. Faith. Forgiveness. Leadership. Generosity. Selflessness. Love. Acceptance. Gratitude. Pride. Helpfulness. Dependability. These are the sources of light that I have seen break through and warm even the darkest of places.

Admittedly, I had lost sight of so many of these concepts since leaving teaching. I no longer felt the kindness, compassion, and goodness that children greet you with every single morning— things that were always so evident in the smiles, hugs, and hand-made cards drenched in glue. Things that I admittedly took for granted. The quickness with which I saw kids leap up to help someone at the drop of a pencil box; the way 25 hands flew in the air as soon as  someone needed a helper; the constant breaking of the “No sharing snacks” rule because kids will sacrifice so that others don’t go hungry. It all just seemed so effortless, so constant, and completely unconditional. 

I have searched for anything equivalent to this level of selflessness outside the walls of the school building for almost two years now. I had almost concluded that good people were few and that true kindness was fleeting. What I have seen in the past two months, however, has made me realize that I was unequivocally mistaken. What I have seen since this “quarantine” began has proven that I should’ve looked closer, harder… because it’s absolutely here. 

It’s all around us.

It’s in the sacrifices being made by thousands of people every second of the day. It’s in the groceries being delivered to the elderly. It’s in the donations made to our healthcare workers. It’s in the chalk art, the homemade masks, and the Zoom sessions. It’s in the wave parades, the NTI assignments created [and often forgotten], and the hard work that goes into each school meal delivery. It’s with the doctors and nurses pulling all-nighters and reusing their PPE. It’s with our gas station employees, grocery store staff, and restaurant workers, who go unrecognized as “essential,” but who show up to every shift because they know that “essential” is exactly what they are. It’s in all of the miles put in by the truck drivers and postal workers. It’s in the dust being wiped off of old board games, family movie nights, and the front yard Easter egg hunts. It’s in the cleaner air and emptier streets. It’s in the acknowledgement and appreciation for the things we take for granted. It’s everywhere. 

I hate that it has taken the shattering of our reality to expose the underlying humanity that blankets our world. I hate that what it took to bring our world back to life is the same thing that is causing so much death and despair. I hope that others are still able to see the good that has come out of the tragedy. I don’t know about you, but seeing the way that so many people have stepped up to help complete strangers and to spread kindness, positivity, and compassion has re-instilled in me a whole new faith in humanity.

In the past month, I have witnessed a society that was, as a whole, directly consumed with money, business, appearance, intolerance, and the idea of “more” become a society focused on family, helping, sharing, appreciation, and “less.” A society once divided by race, gender, sexual preference, religious views, economic status, political affiliation, social media followers, hairlines, and eyebrow quality (btw I still will never understand those last two) has become a society united in spite of these things. A society too busy to take time for others, for themselves… has become a society dedicated to slowing down enough to listen… to CARE.

I see so many families out for walks. I see less people focused on their appearance and more people snuggling in their PJs. I see more people taking the time to appreciate life and the simple things. Myself included. I have seen people be so much more patient and much less judgmental. I have seen forgiveness, compassion, and acceptance. Never in my entire life have I seen an entire population pull together to care for others in such a powerful way.

Death, heartache, despair, loss, scarcity, uncertainty… These are all still prevalent. The coronavirus has directly impacted our families and our economy in crippling ways. I don’t know how or when we will truly come out of this. I’m not sure anyone on the planet has the answer to that at this time. I know what you’re thinking, and no, not even Dr. Stack or Dr. Fauci 😉 No matter when stores open up, salons start booking appointments, or stadium seats are filled again, I just pray that we continue to wrap our arms (metaphorically, of course) around one another and never allow the trivial things to rip us apart again.

I pray we never forget the humanity that we have seen come out of these trying times and the sacrifices we, as humans, are willing to make for each other. I pray that we continue spreading the love, kindness, compassion, and goodness even when the hustle and bustle of life returns. I pray we never go back to the “old normal.” This virus has allowed us time to pause and consider what truly matters in this world. It has given us the ultimate chance to reinvent ourselves as a society. Let us make the most of it.

I would like to take a second to thank every single person who allowed me to share their photos. Thank you for spreading kindness.♥

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” -Aesop