Happy Sticks, Love Rocks, and the Many Ways We're Staying Connected During the Pandemic

It goes without saying that medical professionals are performing sheer acts of heroism by going to work every day on the front lines of this pandemic crisis. Most of us are following their recommendations and staying out of their way and out of the hospitals. 

But being isolated is beyond boring. We are a cultural, communal society. We need connections. So it’s no surprise how creative people are when it comes to replicating in-person contact during a period of quarantine and social distancing.

My neighborhood block is joining the world for the 8 p.m. standing ovation to recognize the medical and emergency services professionals. One of my neighbors has started adding occasional twists. We sang happy birthday to 16-year-old twins. And last night we tipped our hats to Mr. Rogers and sang, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor.” It’s a touching moment during a stressful period.

I’ve also been marveling at the ways people around me and on social media are experiencing other ways to feel connected offline. I’ve collected a few of my favorites here.

Teens in Oak Park salvaged an old bathroom stall door from an alley and one of them has repurposed it for her friends to share messages.

Her mom posted this and added an additional safety message: Bring your own Sharpie.

Love Rocks

In Vancouver, a friend came across a sweet note from a six-year-old child who is inviting neighbors to paint rocks from their gardens then leave them around the community for others to find.

This is the text of the note: Love Rocks Deep Cove | I am 6 years old and I live in Deep Cove. I want to invite kids in our community to get by sharing love and joy while we can’t play together. Paint rocks from your garden and leave them around Deep Cove on your walks. Make them brights and happy!

Messages of Hope

I wish this woman was a neighbor. She and her daughter are going around writing messages of hope on random sidewalks. 

Teddy Bear Hunt

In a friend’s neighborhood, folks are asked to place stuffed bears in their windows so that when families go on walks they can scavenger hunt for bears. This is based on the book, “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” by Micheal Rosen and Helen Oxenbury.

Neighborhood Scavenger Hunts

I’ve seen many other versions of scavenger hunts. One of my neighbors created a collage of keyholes, windows, sections of buildings, etc. She shared them on social media and encouraged friends to use them to explore the neighborhood when out for a walk.

Happy Sticks

Another neighbor in Oak Park has placed stakes in a can near the sidewalk. A note encourages folks to take a stick and decorate with something that inspires them or makes them happy. Individuals are then asked to bring the stake back and plant it.

I invite you to share things your neighbors are doing to stay connected.