A Dog Saved My Life
Today I met a woman who shared from her guts the deep concern she has for our state and nation. She can’t believe the sharp contrast between what we used to be and what we are now. She was angry about being put off when expressing concern to government officials. She couldn’t believe how her country and community had changed over the past couple years, and she fears for our future. She was truly grateful to have someone to listen to her. And I was honored that she would trust me enough to share all these thoughts and feelings. Through tears, she reviewed how tough the shutdown was for her, and how glad she was for the dog she rescued only 2 days before the shutdown began, March 2020. She said, “This dog saved my life.” Otherwise, she would have been devastated by being all alone for many months.
There are so many folks who experienced extreme loneliness because of the government shutdown. I remember how a couple friends became trapped in isolation in nursing homes, retirement centers, and assisted living facilities. Their heartache for social contact with family and friends was not like anything they had ever experienced before in their lives. Others actually died at home from loneliness. One pastor remarked that although he had an older population in his church, no one died from Covid there. However, four people died of loneliness. They just quit caring. They quit eating…and died. They said that if they couldn’t see their families or friends, there was no point in living.
Prior to the shutdown in 2020, our culture was already experiencing a problem with loneliness. Our youth were better at social media and video games than actually being social. They lacked skills to make friends in person. They lacked passion for relationships and making commitments to each other. Their depression, anxiety, and suicide rates were the highest this nation has ever seen. Their sense of self-worth and respect for the world around them were, at best, underdeveloped.
So how do we get our sense of humanity back? I don’t have simple answers for this, but I do think we have the power to change it. Even though we have gained more money and technology, we have not gained more happiness. We can choose to put people first - our neighbors, friends, and family. We can prioritize the little things in life – like sharing a card game together, sharing stories, playing music together…. And making people the priority again. We certainly can’t legislate it, but we can encourage it.
As I visit the folks in our communities, I’m truly reminded that nothing matters more than a person valuing another person. We must get back to these basic values of life. We are made to need each other’s company. We are made for community, for family, for gathering. Let’s work on this together. Let’s value “customer service” where taking care of the customer really is the goal. Let’s commit to at least making small changes in each of our lives, so that a person in our path becomes important again.
Tell me what you think. I welcome your comments: Gina4StateRep@gmail.com.