Many of us can’t see our loved ones during this time of quarantine. I’m following our governor’s order not to mix households. It’s a tall order to ask us to stay away from our loved ones who we’d walk through fire to be with.

It’s tough not being able to see my mom, but even more so my dad; normally I see him all the time. It’s hard not to give in to the heart and break quarantine so I can hug him and feel his calming presence. I talk to him on video chat pretty much every day but it’s not the same as an in person visit. It’s something though.

This is time to be especially thankful for everyone and everything we have, and for the technology that lets us stay connected with the ones we love the most, the world, and each other.

• 

As the effects of isolation take a toll on our thoughts, emotions and psyches it is ever important for us to reach out to someone when feeling sad or lonely. If nobody in our contacts we feel comfortable calling picks up there are people out there waiting for us to talk to. Look up a warm line in your area if you are feeling out of sorts or need somebody to talk to. Here’s a list of a handful of numbers from NAMI I found with a google search.

If you’re feeling at risk of hurting yourself or taking your life, call a crisis line in your area, 911 or get yourself to a hospital. Here’s an international list of crisis lines I found. Your life is valuable and you deserve a future. Just like the ones we’ve saved in our lifetimes, we also are worth saving.

Together we can get through this time and once we’re on the other side I think we’ll all feel very much closer together.

• 

• 

Brandon