The Quarantine Chronicles: Day 25

Hello, Dear One.

So glad you are here.

Question of the day: Does anyone else have a crush on Mr. Rogers?

I have to confess that both my husband and I do!

In the last year, we watched both of the movies that have come out about his life and we both cry like babies and gush for long amounts of time afterwards about just what an amazing man he was. He truly is an example of someone who lived a life so full of love and genuine goodness.

I would love to have a legacy like that.

And of course, one of the things he was most known for was his neighborhood and his relationship with his neighbors.

I've actually been thinking a lot about neighbors lately because the theater group I am leading is writing a musical based on a true story that took place in a rough neighborhood in Berlin, before and after, the wall came down. The gist of the story is that an unlikely group of people who live in the same neighborhood but come from extremely different backgrounds and belief systems end up coming together to save one woman's life and over the course of several years, set up camp in the middle of the street for a cause they all believe in. And it ultimately ends up changing the laws and their lives completely.

When I was born, the lady who lived across the street from us in Albany, Oregon planted a rosebush for me. We only lived in that house until I was 5, but every year until I was 21 Aunt Sandy would either send me roses from that rosebush or press them into bookmarks or stationary...it was a simple but hugely profound act of love and faithfulness. An extraordinary way to show someone, she hadn't even seen since they were 5 years old, how precious they are. She was just a kind and loving neighbor who became a dear friend to my mom, and in addition, spread her love to me.

How well do you know your neighbors?

We are living in the city in a 5 story apartment building. We are fairly friendly with several people in the building but I don't know them all by name.

Now is an important time to reach out to people and as good a time as any to really let the people around us know that they are not alone.

Today, I want you to picture your ideal neighborhood.

How would it feel to walk down the street or walk into your building and feel connected in a meaningful way to the people living near you? Maybe you already have great relationships with your neighbors - I hope you do! But now would be a really good time to think of a creative way you can show you care.

What are the things you are craving right now? How could you offer comfort, presence, and kindness to the people in your environment?

People keep saying things will not go back to normal as we've known it...let's make the new normal one that is full of communities that we've always dreamt of being part of.

Be creative with your generosity and reach out to someone today. Even leave some letters at people's doors perhaps?

This is inspired by Suleika Jaouad, maybe leave a note like hers:

"Greetings Neighbor!

If you need help in this crisis we are right next door.

Here is our contact information....

If you're not able to go out for any reason and you need errands done, need transportation, if you need food, etc. let us know and as long as our health holds out we will help you. We even have some extra toilet paper and hand sanitizer!

If you get lonely, call!

Together we will get through this. It has always been through the grace of "the beloved community" that we have weathered storms and come out the better for it.

You are our treasured neighbors and we would be devastated if anything happened to you. We will continue to hold you all in prayer and the light."

I found this letter so beautiful, don't you agree?

How can we build a neighborhood full of more love?

I would LOVE to read, hear, see and experience the things you are creating during this time and as a result of some of these creativity prompts! So please feel free to share them personally with me or with the Artists Rising Community!

There is so much love for you here,

JennyRebecca

P.S. Invite a friend to get in on these Quarantine Chronicles Prompts! Do them together and create an even larger support connection as you are going through this time. And if you haven't joined the private Facebook Group yet, do it! Let's connect to each other in as many ways as we can!...Maybe that will be the biggest change we create as a result of this entire global situation? This is my prayer anyhow. Xxo