Easton Front Porch: Coming Together During a Time of Social Distancing

Videos Spread Messages of Hope

There are times during this long staycation that are extremely challenging. Sometimes we are happy, sometimes stressed and feeling confined. We try to hold onto some of our regular routine, while being around the rest of our family 24/7, who are trying to do the same. We attempt  to maintain a sense of normalcy, but for the present time, our lives have been drastically altered.  We are all operating on survival mode, trying to keep ourselves and our families safe, while struggling to get a local delivery of food and other essentials. But there are times when we have to let go of trying to hang onto what seems normal and find new ways of coping and even communicating. 

What has helped me tremendously through these past few weeks, is my faith, which during Lent, calls for minimizing the material aspect of life, reading more spiritual writings, eating less, being more prayerful and reflective, and engaging in acts of almsgiving, such as checking on an elderly person in town, or calling old friends to see how they are doing. I like to sit in front of my icon corner for 15 minutes daily. Sometimes I pray, sometimes I cry, and sometimes I sit and listen. Another way I deflect my melancholy as I feel it coming on, is to go outside and enjoy my natural surroundings,  whether I take a short drive close to home or sit out in my back yard enjoying the “peace of wild things,” to quote Wendell Berry. 

“When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.”

Something else that has brought me comfort is the many efforts of family, friends and community members to spread messages of hope,  love and well-being, throughout social media. I’ve put together a handful of  such videos from people around town. 

Be safe, and be well. Stay strong, Easton. 

— Samantha and Anne Preis, entertaining and funny:

— Luke English, letting us know that everything will be OK by singing a Billy Joel favorite:

— Dan Tressler and Dan Carlucci demonstrate how to jam while social distancing:

— Dan Tressler sends comfort and reassurance with this classic tune by the late great Bill Withers.

— The Fox family sends well wishes from their living room concert series:

— Margaret Brady reminds us that we should always feel grateful with her inspiring words and video:

“I am incredibly grateful for all of the friends and memories I’ve made over the years, and the opportunities I’ve been blessed enough to have through the help of my family. I’d like to especially thank my parents, my sister, the Thorn family, the Guerrette family, the Rennison family, the Damiani family, the Bickford family, Dr. Lisa, Irv Snow, Mr. Breakell, Bonnie Burr, and all of my friends who have always had my back in and out of the ring. I wouldn’t be the showman, or person, I am today without all of the help, coaching, and support I’ve received from each and every one of you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Although my show career might be over for the time being, I look forward to the day I’ll put my whites on again.

— Talia Bazos has fun with her daughter joining in on the Easton Cow Bell Ringing Challenge.

 — Artist Tina Sarno, a member of the Easton Arts Council, encourages people to pursue artistic expression during this time of staying home and social distancing.