One of the children in our neighborhood has used her “down time” to research the “pet of her dreams.” She has searched her heart, studied the reference books and decided on…..a chinchilla. In order to finance her new pet, she baked dog treats and was selling them locally.

Advertised on Facebook, Payed via Venmo. Delivered to your porch.

No fuss. No muss.

We, of course, bought a bag.

Did we need them?

No.

Did she need us to need them?

Yes.

So we bought them, because fostering connection and unity in this time of uncertainty is worth more than the price of bone shaped dog snacks. It is something we all need at this moment in history.

“Do what you can” has been the motto at our house for the last few weeks.

The world is out of control. We are all at the mercy of our “higher ups.” Things are bad and they are only ongoing to get worse before they get better. BUT…..we have (to some extent) a choice.

We we can wallow in helplessness and negativity, post memes and forward articles, enrage others as we are enraged, OR we can “do what we can.”

“Do what we can” in real life, away from the computer. Away from the “share” button. Participate in real actions that have real consequences. Actions that may not be bold or grand but make a real difference.

Donate blood. Donate supplies to the local domestic violence shelter, the homeless shelter. Pick up groceries for your elderly neighbor. Mow their lawn. Take their trash bin to the curb and back. Make time to call your friend who lives alone, check in, be present, really listen when they say they are struggling. Offer to walk the neighbor’s dog. Mail a card to the single parent down the street letting them know how amazing they are. Put a few dollars in a struggling friends Venmo account. Put up pictures of animals in your windows so the neighborhood kids have something to look for while they are on an evening stroll with their parents. Support your local small businesses in any way you safely can. Wave to cars passing by. Buy the dog treats. Build connections. Build community.

It doesn’t feel like enough some days. It feels like it should be bigger. But there is only so much one person can do so you “do what you can” and hope, in the end it was enough. Hope in the end that it made a difference.