I was raised on the Central Coast and lived in Morro Bay, Avila Beach, and San Luis Obispo, but I no longer live in the area. This past weekend I had come home to visit my mother on her 66th birthday in Los Osos. She lives in the Daisy Hill Estates, a senior park that is truly one of a kind. She just moved into the park in July since my grandmother, her mother, passed on and left her the house.
New to the park, she has been welcomed by incredible folks who I truly think should be noticed. Not to give them recognition, but to let the people they honor nightly know that there are people like them out here sending them thanks, sending them their thoughts and appreciation, prayers and love.
Every night at 8 p.m. I heard this ruckus outside, flutes and bells, etc. I asked my mom what the heck all the noise was about. She told me that at 8 p.m. every single night, many people from the estates gather in the cul-de-sac at the end of her road with their bells, one flute, and warm hearts. They gather to ring their bells, sing, and play the flute in recognition of and to honor the essential workers during the pandemic, as well as people who are impacted by COVID-19.
I thought this was a really nice, and I thought that the people being honored by these kind folks should know that these people are out here for them, thinking of them, thanking them, and wishing them well. I figured maybe there was a way that you would be able to let them know that these folks have every one of them in their hearts. You never know. Worth a try. If not, at least you know.
Kristen Bishop
visiting Los Osos
This article appears in Student Guide 2020.
Working in Healthcare, we expect the unexpected, and the routine can become a ‘seige mentality’ at work sometimes. But the Covid-19 Pandemic has brought a new paradigm in personal protection practices which had already been made much stronger over the preceding 20 or so years.
Since no one seems really certain how deadly in the long run, nor how virulent-short of what we already have seen worldwide- we in healthcare are beginning to feel a little burned out. For some of us this happened months ago under overwhelming circumstances. For others it is catching up now, as the sensation from mask- wearing seemingly 24/7 brings a question- that tickle in my throat, do I have it? Am I putting my loved ones at greater risk as well as patients? Or is it just the stupid masks? How many healthcare workers have left us figuratively, literally or finally since this began? We know there are common faces missing on shift.. where’d they go? Thanks to the well meaning of HIPAA we may never know. Another stressor…
Being this has become the norm, I say the appreciation rituals are greatly appreciated by most of us. Those participating may have no personal skin in the game so to speak, yet there they are saying we matter more than paychecks, more than just ‘doing our job’; on a routine basis no less. I don’t speak for everyone but I think it’s pretty cool.
It’s the old story; you never really think about those serving in capacities you may need until you need them. We’re still at it in case you need us…hopefully you won’t. To those of you appreciating us thank you as well.
Thank you for sharing you story. Brought tears to my eyes knowing that it has made a difference. Even if just to you. That is all I wanted. You deserve to know that these people are with you, thinking of and appreciating your dedication every single night. I’m sure they arent the only ones out there. Thank you for doing what you do and being who you are.
K Bishop