Kindness Amidst COVID-19

COVID-19 has brought out the best and worst in each one of us. But for me, I’d like to dwell on the positive aspect that the pandemic has done for us. We only have to choose whether we see the bright side or be on the gloomy side of things.

Ours is an extended family, aside from my two daughters (eldest 20, youngest 17), I (widow, age late 40s) am living with my mother and my aunt (both senior citizens). It’s been more than a month already since the community quarantine took place on the 3rd week of March 2019. As of the moment the government had already imposed the Enhanced Community Quarantine. All through out these trying times, I believe my family bonded well as we do our daily chores like cleaning the house, washing our clothes, cooking (experimenting new dishes from YouTube) and taking care of our pets (we have 3 indoor cats, 4 adopted cats staying outside). As we did all of those I discovered new things about my daughters. On another hand, my children have more time with their grandmothers as they listen and exchange ideas with regards to stories from past to present. Our family also is one with the Archdiocese of Davao in praying the Holy Rosary every 8 in the evening, either we tune in to DXGN 89.9 Spirit FM or we do it on our own. One thing I noticed is that being prayerful and being kind seems to be the more noticeable attitudes in our family as well as other families these days.

Kindness has a boomerang effect. This positive trait is what we are experiencing right now. As we experience it in our own families, we tend to share it with others.

The kindness of our frontliners to those afflicted with COVID-19 is immeasurable. The government’s effort in taking care of those who are in need by providing them food through rations and cash assistance is appreciated. The Catholic Church through the Archdiocesan Social Action Center (ASAC) with its generous donors helping the needy is praiseworthy. Artists raising funds in tandem with various charitable organizations through online concerts just to help those who are needy are admirable. And for those whose help and kindness are extended anonymously for our frontliners and for our brothers and sisters in need is commendable.

We can feel and see kindness all around us in these time of crisis. I just hope and pray that this is not only a phase or a fad but rather will be inculcated in each one of us even after this whole COVID-19 episode in our lives will end.

On another note, as we face the challenges brought about by this virus, I am sharing with you a Prayer to Mary, Health of the Sick lifted from the Novena to St. Camillus de Lellis:

O Holy Mother, Health of the Sick, you are a true fountain of mercy and healing. Full of love and compasssion, obtain for me health of body and soul by your all-powerful prayers to your Divine Son, Jesus Christ. In your motherly hands I entrust myself, my dear ones, all the needs of Holy Mother Church, of our country, and the salvation of all people. AMEN.

“Often the simplest form of kindness fly under the radar, never categorized as kindness at all… You may not be applauded for days on end or receive acknowledgment all together, but kindness in its purest form enjoys the anonymity and the hidden pleasure of knowing it made someone’s day a little brighter.” – Orly Wahba