The people using the coronavirus pandemic to spread kindness

During a time when social distancing is a matter of urgency, many Australians are left to grapple with much uncertainty and fear, making it all the more important to stay connected to our loved ones.

But while it’s vital to keep in touch with family and friends, it’s just as important to check in with our neighbours.

Hear how three generations live on one property on Somewhere Else: 

This is why acts of kindness, like those shared on the Facebook page The Kindness Pandemic are all the more encouraged at this time.

One such example is the story of Sally K of Mount Eliza, Victoria, who, prior to the travel restrictions, had planned a trip to NSW with her husband, because her mother-in-law was having day surgery to replace a heart valve.

“She had asked my husband to be with her, as she was nervous about the procedure,” wrote Sally. “We planned to be away for a week or two, so I asked our wonderful neighbour to occasionally water all the new plants we had recently planted in our garden.”

As it turned out, Sally’s mother-in-law wound up needing open heart surgery, and required six weeks of recovery. But luckily, Sally’s next-door neighbour was eager to lend a helping hand.

“Not only has our amazing neighbour watered the garden, he has also collected the mail, put out the bins, mowed the lawn, weeded, fertilised and taken photos, with measurements, of our growing pumpkin, zucchini and tomatoes – just so we can see their progress,” Sally wrote.

“We have been blown away by his generosity, and going above and beyond anything we could have anticipated. It has made a trying time so much easier knowing our home is in safe hands.”

Acts of kindness are not only limited to those familiar with one another already. Take the story of Bella S for example, an emergency nurse from Brunswick, Victoria, who had been fighting the flu so was in self-isolation for two weeks.

“Our very thoughtful neighbours [that I have never met before], put a letter in everyone’s letter box on our street. They gave their numbers and offered their support to those who might need help during this challenging time,” wrote Bella.

“I messaged them and explained my situation, and that I was OK for groceries at the moment, but it was really amazing to know that I could reach out if in need, and that it was really comforting to know they were offering support to the community.”

The next day, Bella received a message from her neighbour, asking what street number she was, and that they were baking her something in their oven.

“I replied, and they sent me a message to say it had arrived on my doorstep, and then I found the most perfect, beautiful homemade loaf of sourdough,” said Bella.

“You could tell it was made with great care and love and, as I brought it inside, I burst into tears due to their pure thoughtfulness. I thanked them for the best sourdough that I had ever tasted, and that it had meant the world to me.”

While social media and other online platforms are helping many people stay connected, it can sometimes leave older people behind.

So one should never underestimate the power of a handwritten grocery list, as proven by the exchange between Sharyn L from Noosa, Queensland, and her elderly neighbour, Margaret.

“Our neighbours across the road are a cute 80-year-old couple. Early each morning, Frank opens up his garage, sits in his fold-out chair with his cup of coffee, and watches the world go by,” wrote Sharyn. “Yesterday, I called out and asked if he and Margaret needed any groceries, and he said that would be great, as they purposely hadn’t left the house in two weeks.”

After exchanging numbers, Sharyn asked for Margaret to call her if they needed anything, although Margaret did not call. So Sharyn called Margaret the next morning, making it impossible for her to say no to the offer. 

“I asked if she knew how to text, so she could send me a shopping list, but she said she wasn’t sure how to,” said Sharyn. “So I told her to write out a list and pop it in my letterbox instead. I also told her not to hold back, and write whatever it is they may need.”

Before long Margaret did just that, and when Sharyn went to her letterbox to collect the list, she found some neatly folded Coles bags, $100 in a purse, and of course, a little handwritten list. 

“It gave me so much happiness to place the bags of groceries, and two cases of wine, on Frank and Margaret’s doorstep that afternoon,” says Sharyn. “I’m so glad that I went to that next step and called Margaret, as she probably wouldn’t have called me. It was a worthwhile lesson that we need to reach out to help others, as they often won’t come to us.”

During these trying times, it appears that these acts of goodwill can not only strengthen past friendships with neighbours, but they can help reconcile past differences, too. As was the case for Naomi E of Bayswater North, Melbourne.

“Quite a few years ago, I had a really heated row with my elderly neighbour over my [late] rescue dog and various foster pets, barking and disturbing her peace,” wrote Naomi. “As a result, she found things to complain about, from trees, to ivy, and fences, but last week, with the grocery shortage in Australia, I became worried and offered her some essentials if she couldn’t get any.”

The very next day, Naomi’s neighbour brought over six home-grown tomatoes, as if offering a peace treaty, which was then followed by Naomi’s husband offering to mow her lawn. And just like that, one good deed was followed by another and, soon after, apologies were exchanged, and Naomi and her neighbour have since traded numbers and kept in contact.

“As it turns out, she’s lovely, and we both love crafting and have lots in common,” says Naomi. “It’s been a nice reminder that kindness is what matters most, now more than ever, and that there are many ways to still feel together, even during this period of physical isolation.”