Let's see how often I post now. I didn't realize how long it had been since I last wrote anything and much has happened in the past five years.
As for my writing, up until a few months ago, about 30% of my job involved writing responses to emails, so there wasn't the longing to write during my non working hours.
Outside of work, I write letters for a group called Letters Against Isolation. https://www.lettersagainstisolation.com/
This group was the result of people in nursing homes and assisted living facilities being locked down with no visitors allowed due to COVID. Now a few thousand letters are sent every two weeks to people in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, and Israel. Some people send elaborate hand made cards while others write simple notes.
I'd like to share one of the notes I wrote this week to someone in Maryland.
Hello, and Happy New Year since it is still early in the year. I like the idea of having hopes and ambitions for the coming year and I like the idea of an opportunity for a fresh start. However, the last few years, even before the pandemic taught me that living "1 day at a time" can be too much. I find it's better to get through one hour at a time. Things can certainly turn out differently than what we expect.
I hope that you are well and that you remain well and hour from now and the rest of the year.
Here is an example of a more personalized note written to someone in New Jersey:
Hello from this former New Jersian now living in Virginia. One good thing about the times we are in is that I was able to watch the Mummers Parade from Philadelphia thanks to WPHL 17 and their internet live broadcast. That was so enjoyable - memories of living in Trenton until 2005.
I hope you are well and I wish you all the best as we take this year one day, one hour at a time.
I wrote similar notes to other people in Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It is a small thing and I hope it can let someone know that they are not alone.
Sometimes I write about the recent week I've had or things I've watched on television, or the weather or experiences I've had with people in Nursing Homes or Assisted Living facilities. I may share some samples of what I write to them in future posts.
