The Virus continues to spread.  It's gradually gaining a stronger foothold in my community.  Eventually,  most of us will get it.  Hopefully, we can stagger the infections over time so as not to overwhelm the medical system.

SWSNBNOSM and I just had an amazing experience. As many know, I spent many days earlier in the school year finishing out my retiree substitute days at her school, Fort Lewis Elementary.

Today, the teachers of the small school gathered at the school (6 feet apart or more) to form up an auto parade through the school district. Cars were decorated with friendly best wishes. Balloons and streamers. Megaphones. Sirens. We even had a group from the Sheriff's office and their muscle-bound eagle mascot.

We spent two hours driving and beeping through neighborhood after neighborhood. We saw many, many happy kids who were so very excited to see us. Some even recognized me, which as a substitute teacher, really warms the heart.

More than with the children, however, the joyful smiles on the faces of adults really brightened my spirit. It occurred to me that if a random group of people paraded through a neighborhood beeping their horns, people would open their doors and wave. So many are feeling so isolated.

Isolation breeds fear and loneliness, especially with the oldest among us. We turned down one street that was populated with cloned patio homes stacked side-by-side. There weren't any kids on this street; however, so many elderly people emerged to wave. to thank, or to film us. It was like we were rock stars. One very old lady, her isolation shattered for the moment, stood in her drive crying and thanking us over and over as we slowly rolled by. "Don't go," she seemed to be saying.

In my life. few things so simple have brought me so much joy.

Be well. You aren't alone.