March 21, 2020
Saturday notes:
I remember what it was like after 9/11. There wasn’t a democrat to be seen anywhere, and republicans were gone too. We were all just Americans, we were all human. Suddenly vulnerable, frightened, and united in love for one another. I took a walk that night, up Main St, around campus, through downtown and was inspired at all the young people outside being together. They weren’t partying, they were being with each other because there is comfort in being with someone else when you’re scared.
This is very different, and I don’t wish to compare the two events at their core. We really can’t take comfort in a stranger and hug them, tell them it’s going to be okay. Sometimes you just need someone to say “its okay.” Its okay okay okay. But the kindness of strangers is very much the spirit of humanity right now. We see and read about it more and more, and less about the evil of the world. When a stranger buys you a cookie, or holds a door for you, waits for you in case you have car trouble….these moments are hope. These moments are love. These moments are what remind me of our spirit after 9/11.
I know that we’re going to make it through this. I also know that some of my friends are already planning on how they are not going to reopen when this is over. Their fear is the same as mine, is different than mine, is equal to mine. I would be lying to you if I said I haven’t run through that scenario in my head, it’s natural I suppose to think of the worst possible outcome. I sit in my office late at night and look at the numbers and attempt to think and discover how to move forward. But then I get a text from a friend that it’ll be alright. I get a message on Facebook about being hopeful. A guest stops by and buys lunch for the hospital, or Ric’s, or another stranger. Calm finds my head, I take a deep breath, and try to lead by example.
So here’s me trying to lead by example. It’s the right thing to do. I have a responsibility to lead because I can carry it for someone else. Tomorrow is our People Helping People day, where guests come in from 1-5 with a coupon they got from the soup kitchen for a free meal. You all know about this program and our ideals behind it. No one should ever go hungry in our town, ever. And now suddenly there are hundreds of new humans without jobs, without a way to pay for groceries, or gas, or rent, or anything. This is simply not okay and I refuse to let someone go hungry in my town when I can make a difference.
Tomorrow we will be open from 11-5 and will operate People Helping People as normal, with one major exception. Anyone who needs a meal and doesn’t have the money to pay for it, needs to save that money for something else, come see us. We will provide a meal for you all day long. Just tell us you would like a PHP meal. Students, laid off service industry employees, anyone who cannot afford to pay for a meal will be taken care of. Anyone who is worried how they will afford to eat, come see us. One meal per person, honor system as always. Let’s take of each other.
Please reach and share this to a friend in need, a colleague, a neighbor and let them know we got their back. If it’s you, we’ve got your back.
It’s just the right thing to do.
Today’s song quote comes from Freya Ridings:
That I never thought how much I needed you.
I think I’m lost without you.