Be the Good

Yesterday I happened to be in Missouri as the Illinois Governor released a statement indicating that all restaurants and bars were closing. I couldn't help but wonder if stores would soon follow, so I thought that it would be beneficial to go get some grocery essentials, while in a different state. I'm normally pretty good at keeping my house stocked up in general, but being that our routine grocery week is this week, I thought I'd try and pre-plan. So I took a deep breath and pulled into Walmart with my nine year old in tow.

I will admit that while I react rather lightly to situations of this nature, I couldn't help but feel a bit of apprehension as I assessed the state of the store shelves, the packed aisles and the long lines. I held my son's hand and couldn't wait to get home to our safe space. However I will say this. This was the first time that I've immersed myself among the people shopping at this time and despite what the media and social media portrays, I witnessed many random acts of kindness. I think that is the side of the Coronavirus scare that isn't being shown enough.

Was it crowded? Absolutely. Were the shelves mostly bare? Yep. However, I was still able to get most of the items on my mental necessity list, for which I was grateful for. I exchanged several "we're in this together"smiles with fellow shoppers. None of us wanted to be out among the crowds, but we also have to continue living the best we can. That includes getting groceries, simply because we need them, not because we think the world is ending. One fellow shopper and I talked about how crazy this whole situation is, yet there we were out among the masses. I never felt like people were pushy. Were there panicked shoppers among us? Definitely. And those of us who weren't in panic mode, just let them pass by, toilet paper heaped carts and all.

Most people seemed appreciative of the Walmart staff, working aimlessly to put food on the empty shelves.  I felt a sense of understanding among many of the shoppers. Obviously supplies were limited, so we had to make the best of what was there and leave some for everyone. I allowed an elderly woman to pass in front of my cart to get to the oatmeal. She was so appreciative. There were moms exchanging laughs in the baby section as they realized that the wipes had been cleared out. The running joke was that their kids now HAD to potty train faster. In a perfect world, right? I also witnessed people letting some pass by them in lines as needed.

I came across this awesome article which covers the things we should be stocking up on during times like these. So much of it makes sense and can help those of you who are wondering what to get. One part of this shopping craze that baffles me is that while we're seeing empty freezers and shelves, I couldn't help but notice the fully stocked fresh produce section. Things like fresh veggies, chicken broth, brown rice and a few meat varieties can create so many easy and balanced meals for your family. I made sure to focus on items like that in the event that convenience items are no longer available for a while as our country's vendors play catch up. Why not take a resourceful approach and focus on the food items available and what you can do with it?

I will admit that I swiped a bottle of wine or two in the mix! Because why not? Bottled water was completely wiped out, but in a worst case scenario, I can suck it up and drink from our tap. Maybe I'm too positive and too practical for times like these, but I just don't see the point in joining in mass panic and chaos. We need to remember to set the best example for our kids. They will remember how they felt and how WE acted during this time.

I created a Facebook post about this very thing, but as the comments started to roll in, I immediately retracted it. There's enough negativity in this world right now. I believe that you attract the vibe that you put out, which is why experiences are different from person to person. If you go into the store bursting with negativity and anger to only focus on the negative, then that's what you're going to see. That's what you're going to attract. You don't have to agree with me. That's my personal opinion. I went into that Walmart chaos hoping that my sense of calm might help others; that if I could lift one person up, then that was enough for me. I wanted to set a positive example for my son. In doing so, I felt and witnessed those very things all around us. If the media would do the same, then circumstances might be very different right now.

This overwhelming "every man for himself" mentality needs to stop. We need to take care of each other. Stop hoarding and start sharing. We need to lift each other up. We need to take light in the memes and jokes circulating, because sometimes laughter and creative expression is the best medicine when things genuinely suck. We need to take the recommendations seriously and self-quarantine when we can. And for the love...wash those hands! That is what's going to beat Coronavirus.