Acts of Kindness When you're Sheltered In?

Thank you for your reply to my situation. I'm so happy for you; do share as much as you can with your granddaughter. Let us remember that they need to live their lives the way they want. We can try to nurture as much as we can but they need to choose what they think is best for them and then experience the consequences of their decisions.

Hi, @0616, You posed a good question for those of us who are strictly self-quarantining regardless of age. I'm close behind you in years and have missed the one-on-one meetings and gathering times with others as well. In addition to so many others' great responses, I made a list of friends, neighbors, acquaintances and their phone numbers that were part of my in-person circle of activities before restricting myself to home in March. I use the list to call with just a friendly "hi, how are you doing?" and manage 2 or 3 calls each week from the list. Some are isolating and others are going out and about. However, it is a way for us all to stay in touch and the calls don't have to be lengthy just more "thinking of you". Some return calls to check periodically on me as well and all seem a bit glad for a break from other routines. It has paid big dividends for me because it is a good way for me to learn what is happening beyond my own 4 walls. A few out-of-town friends and I seem to be calling to visit a bit more regularly than in the past as well. Four close friends have had major surgeries and illnesses during this period. Because I don't go to others' houses or take food like usual, I had a stash of greeting cards so have mailed a card each week to each of them just to let them know they are being thought of.

Thanks for sharing your ideas. I am going to follow your suggestions.

Would love to be in a pen pal group.

@dar2020, Do you have interests or hobbies that might lead you to an online group of like minded enthusiasts? Yrs ago, I joined a garden seed exchange group and became offline cyber pals with 2 members. We found we had more in common than just gardening.

I started drawing Enso circles, a Japanese custom associated with Buddhism. Though I'm not Buddhist, this custom helps me. To draw an Enso circle you meditate for a while, take in a breath, and draw a circle in one breath and one stroke. The circle can be either full or empty--whatever it seems like to you. I paint my circle with black acrylic paint and a sumi-e brush. After I've finished the circle, I date it. You can draw several circles on one page or add color later. Each circle is different.

@harriethodgson1, Like the idea of drawing Enso circles and a new concept for me. Reminds me of those school time years when i would draw doodles all over a page as the teacher droned on and on and... Sometimes, circles, others triangles/ rectangles......The act of changing focus by drawing specific shapes was calming for me. May have to resume some of that. Can't draw artistically but had fun with the repeated shapes. Smiles

I have an MA in Art Education and am a doodle artist. Just written and illustrated a book for tweens and teens called Grief Doodling: Bringing Back Your Smiles.The cover and full description is available on Amazon and the book will be released on April 1, 2021. Adults have told me they would use this grief resource.

I think you would enjoy painting Ensos.

Thanks for the like.