Personal Narratives

COVID-19 causes people to come together even while social distancing


PHOTO FROM ANGELA ELLIS
Baking for family members is a great way to stay busy and show kindness during the pandemic.

May 24, 2020

By Angela Ellis
Staff Writer

It can be difficult to stay calm and upbeat while sheltering in place. Yet, time spent with family and connecting with friends is making these challenging times easier to bear.

With each passing day, families are growing closer because of the time they are spending together. Recently, I have found myself sitting in my living room with my loved ones reflecting on funny anecdotes from my childhood and listening to my parents share stories from their youth. The humor helps us get our minds off our concerns about everything going on in the world.

Even connecting via phones, such as FaceTiming your friends and relatives, is a way to stay connected with one another. Having conversations is not the only way to pass the time, though. 

Reading the same books or watching the same movies as family and friends can be precious and entertaining bonding activities. Holding drawing contests, playing basketball in the backyard, going on family walks, taking care of a pet and doing a big family craft are additional ways to bond and stay busy with family.

Recently, I have found myself sitting in my living room with my loved ones reflecting on funny anecdotes from my childhood and listening to my parents share stories from their youth.

Being stuck at home is giving children and teens plenty of opportunities to nurture their talents and acquire life skills like cleaning and cooking. 

Neighbors and townspeople are also coming together to take care of the people in the area who are in need of help, so my family and others in the community have been cooking and baking for frontline workers. During the pandemic, I have found great joy in baking for my family. 

We also play board games like Bananagrams, Monopoly and Scrabble. I participate in online games like Roblox and Shell Shockers with friends or family as well. 

It’s important to use this pandemic as an opportunity to reconnect with family, friends, neighbors and community members. This is the perfect time to nurture important relationships and let others know you care about them.

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