At a time when we are all experiencing an extraordinary level of stress, science offers a simple and effective way to bolster emotional health. ‘To help yourself start helping others.’” from New York Times article by Tara Parker, 4/12/2020.
I have frequently thought about this, in the support group setting I have seen in others and myself that helping others is just as rewarding and maybe even more rewarding to oneself than to the other person.
I saw the joy that I received from the simple task of picking up excess milk and produce from the local farm and dropping off at the food pantry…. I would be looking forward to driving from the food pantry to show them what I was able to obtain… and feeling I was helping people in the community.
Then when the Coronavirus hit I started to wonder about people that could not get out and I started to do grocery shopping for several people that were not able to get out.
The first woman I did this was a 92-year old woman, who I noted when picking up her prescription that her birthday was April 12, Easter Sunday. I had flowers delivered here and purchased a card, yesterday I dropped them off, she came to the door with mask and told me she was smiling.. she had been a little stand offish when I started doing her shopping … understandably with all of the concern about the virus…. I felt very good after I had made the delivery.
Each of the women that I deliver groceries for has challenges, one is in a wheelchair, they all have a definite sense of resilience despite their challenges.
Turning my weekly baking for the support group to a sharing with the neighbors has opened up communication with some people I did not know that well, bringing a little joy to them in this difficult time is joyful. Yesterday our next door neighbor returned the favor with a few home made cookies and a small loaf of home made sour dough bread.
Yesterday was Easter Sunday, my family had a later day gathering via Google Hang-Outs.. it was interesting but a lot of fun to see everyone from our remote outreaches, Long Island, New Jersey, Virginia and New Hampshire… all at once, quite a marvel really.
Yesterday, Easter Sunday I went to Horseshoe Lake to see the sunrise and in the afternoon I walked on the walking path under the blooming trees.
Sunrise 
Walking Path
April 12, 2020
What a very Happy Birthday that was for that woman! Good job!
Always wonderful to help others.