The community is invited to send a note to brighten someone’s day. Courtesy/LARSO

The community is invited to send a note from home to brighten a soldier’s day. Courtesy/LARSO

What a difference a week makes. Last Thursday, we received a notice at the senior centers that our meal program would begin a drive-thru meal service.

Maybe that’s one reason I have always felt like every young person should have to work a year in fast food or at a department store. Those are real life skills that last forever. I think if you work rush hour in food sales or in a department store on Christmas Eve and the day after, you acquire skills.

The hardest part of being closed this week makes me feel like a teacher, “I miss my kids”. The difference is my kids range from 50-99. This “social distancing thing”, is hard on them, too. I believe they can teach us the lesson though.

Social distancing is a physical thing, it doesn’t have to be an emotional thing. This is the time to pick up a phone and make a call. That call can be to a neighbor or someone across the country. Maybe the forced slow down should have us all making a to-do list that isn’t just watching TV or cleaning the house.

I currently have about 75 folks we bring meals to or are isolated, but don’t need our help yet. No matter your age, would you consider writing a card, drawing a picture or even jotting a small note or two or 50? They can be made by anyone of any age. It could be done on a cute note pad, some stationary you have been saving a long time or colored paper. It can be a smiley face, kind words or positive phrases googled from the internet or copied from a book.

The senior center also hosts a box for local military folks serving across the country and the world. Think how a note from home might brighten their day? Those also can be short, pictures or doodles. You could take a local photo, print it on paper and add a kind note, give them a taste of home. Share something about what you do locally.

Don’t worry in either case, yes, I will quarantine the mail before sending it out. We do the same things with the food donations we receive each day, too. We check them for expiration dates, divide them up on tables by date and type. If it is an immediate need, we can wipe down the container with disinfectant wipes, or glove up and repackage it.

Yes my friends, we not only have a plan, we have lots of plans and even some we’re still keeping close to the vest.

You may have heard we’re grocery and prescription shopping for our members, if they need an assist.

Also, it has never been easier to become a Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization (LARSO) member for those over 60. You can leave a message 24 hours a day at 505.662.8920. Then, one of my self-titled “Love Warriors” will return the call and get you connected for free.