Lisa LaCivita
1. Write a letter: Not an email; a real old-fashioned pen (or pencil) to paper letter. One you will have to edit as you gather your thoughts and copy over to look presentable.
Why write a letter? It is a treat and a nice surprise to find a letter or note in our mail. When we think of letters, first to mind are ones for relatives who live far away, those who we do not see often. This makes sense, but you can also write to people you do see often (or used to). Perhaps a letter to your best friend thanking them for being such a great friend?
What do you want your young children or grandchildren to know about you? What is important to you? What principles do you live by? What are your hopes for their future? Can you put that in a letter? Perhaps they are too young to converse about these topics now, but you can gather your ideas in a letter and give it to them when they are older. How likely they are to treasure your thoughts!
Letters are time capsules. Why don’t we all write a letter to ourselves to be opened one year from now? What are we thinking, expecting, fearing, looking forward to? How will we remember this time a year from now?
We could write a letter to anyone, but letters to children telling them what we admire and like about them can be especially meaningful. In letters to friends we can reminisce about fun times we had together and plan for reunions in the future.
Is it time for a letter to an estranged family member or friend? I love you and forgive you; I am sorry. Sometimes we are better able to complete our thoughts in a letter than in conversation. In a letter we have time to think a bit deeper and reflect. It also gives the recipient time to react and reflect; your thoughts can be revisited. Letters can help put things in perspective, put things behind us and open the door to a new way forward.
Tip: just as with an email, it is good to “sleep on” your thoughts and letters. Never send one in anger. The written word is more permanent;
think through your comments and err on the side of love, compassion and forgiveness. If you did not get to read it back in January, Sharon had nice blog on letter writing, you can visit it here.
2. Take a walk: Around the block or further afield. Here is an activity for the whole family. Explore your neighborhood. Getting outside has proven health benefits for both adults and children. Walking in a natural setting can help reduce stress, benefits cognition and can improve immune function. Plus, it is a nice break from schoolwork, housework and our electronic devices. Fresh air and sunshine will likely
help you sleep better at night. This time of year is spectacular with the green grass, buds, blooms and leaves emerging on trees. Talk a walk before or after breakfast, at lunch time or in the afternoon if you did not get out in the morning. A sunset or twilight walk can be a satisfying conclusion to the day. At twilight you may hear the spring peepers and that bright “star” to right of Orion is the planet Venus! Venus is at its highest and brightest of the year. It will be an “evening star” until June when it shifts to morning duty. Look for Venus with the crescent moon on April 25th and 26th. Perhaps one of the good things that can come out of this pandemic will be incorporating a walk into your daily routine.
3. Give Blood: It will save a life! Blood drives have been cancelled nationwide but you can make an appointment at our local Red Cross headquarters to donate blood. Cancellations of blood drives has the potential to diminish supplies. If you want to do something for your community this is it! It took about an hour of my time, a lot of (necessary) personal yes or no questions were asked, my temperature was taken (twice) and yes, needles are involved. This was a small discomfort
compared to the life-saving gift we are giving. Call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) to schedule an appointment or use the web link above. This activity does take you out of the house (for a worthwhile cause) but you will have the satisfaction of contributing to the health of your community.
4. Be counted: As mandated by the constitution, and beginning in 1790, a count of every person living in the United States is required. This information is vitally important to communities because it shapes our representation in Congress and state legislatures as well the distribution of federal funds. It is a big job to
count every person living in the United States! Do your part now to help the process along. You can read more about the census here.
5. Taxes: Get them done! The U.S. government pushed back the federal deadline for filing income tax to July 15th, but so far, the state’s deadline is still May 1st. All the forms and information you need for federal filing can be found at www.irs.gov. Even if you do not have a printer to print forms you can see what they are asking for and get your information collected and ready to go. Virginia tax information can be found here. A previous blog post featured tax information; you can read it here.