Support Each Other

I’m feeling immensely thankful that my childhood friend is back home in NJ after being hospitalized for Covid-19. He happens to be in charge of equipment and supplies for a hospital in NY, so his job has made him very near the front lines of this pandemic. When we learned he was hospitalized, immediately a group text of six of us brought his friends right by his side. He continually shared with us how he was physically feeling over the few days he was there. We asked questions and encouraged him. A lot of personal humor from our history together was going back and forth. It was a concentrated few days of bonding for the six of us that we will oddly each cherish. My friend has expressed that we helped him get through it, by being there along with him and truly caring for his recovery. The experience struck me to wonder about that deep, incalculable, inner drive to heal and how our loved ones are part of that.

Lean On Each Other

I imagine this kind of experience is happening throughout the world right now, though sometimes loved ones are not coming home. Having lived in China when I was a bit younger and now practicing Chinese Medicine in my daily life, I’ve learned that language is reflective of culture, even its values. Some of the first words one learns in language may be “he” or “she”, “man” or “woman”. In Chinese, the word for “person” sounds somewhat like “ren”. The character is a picture with two lines, one leaning on the other. Whenever “person” is written or read in Chinese, that image is seen. This creates a deep understanding from early childhood that people “lean” on each other. (It’s interesting that the thousands of Chinese characters come historically from pictures reflecting meaning.)

How incredible it is that we can still lean on each other even in isolation. We’ve created technology that has allowed for this. Restrictions are easing and we will be more carefully interacting in person over time. But I’m sure this time apart has been significant for each of us, maybe more for some than others. I happen to live in a household of seven (this doesn’t include the pets), so we have kept busy, entertained, and socially engaged. Those of you who live alone are accustomed to it, but may also be used to regularly visiting or doing activities with family and friends. You may have noticed that your pets have become even more important partners. Being socially isolated may be causing or exacerbating very real health concerns for some, particularly anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, even progression of dementia. Along with the isolation, the uncertainty, fear, and insecurity that all of this has created causes increased stress. This tension may then further aggravate pain or any health condition.

A Time to Care

As the Chinese character indicates, we are social beings that depend on each other. We may be a relatively independent group in Vermont, but it is key to our collective health to support our neighbors, friends, and family. When you’re walking by and see the neighbor’s trash can tipped over from the wind, go ahead and straighten it back up. Unless you have severe back pain, it doesn’t take much. There is real-life benefit in that deep feeling of support, whether it’s from your neighbors keeping an eye on you, your family’s connection, or your friends’ group text humor and care. With continued uncertainty ahead, may our community and loved ones stay safe and healthy. Let’s look out for each other, like those doing so diligently and courageously on the front lines, as well as those of us picking up our neighbor’s fallen trash can.

Originally published in The World