Sometimes the Kids Know Best
By Sandy Schroeder
This morning as I opened my email, a Quaranzine site created by the staff of my local library popped up. The library has always been a special place for me, and I am not surprised that they remained in touch so creatively. They just sent out their second issue of arts and ideas, saying, "We hope the creations bring as much joy and comfort as they did in their creation."
What the Kids Had to Say
Within Quaranzine there are totally creative responses to the virus and its restrictions from kids, moms, dads, and neighbors. As I marveled at the kids' responses, it reminded me of how much pure creativity can be lost when we grow up and allow our pens to become dulled. I am saving several images to remind me to always "unsquare the box," a phrase I created many moons ago.
Looking Closer
One teen painted her bike bright blue, put flowers in the front basket and added a suitcase on the back to present a 1950s image as she rode her bike in her neighborhood. Another mom and children created a Chinese lion dance with paper, boxes and other scraps found around the house. It was magnificent. They also noted lions are lucky.
Then there was a sublime watercolor of a butterfly garden with a gorgeous Monarch presiding. Colorful space dinosaurs pursued by virus bugs, and a magnificent ink drawing of a whale rising up out of the sea followed. There were also crepe paper roses blooming with hope, and the magic of silk art created by Star Greenwood's soap and water marbling. The list goes on with photos of spring clouds and a closeup of a pair of Egyptian geese swimming in a local park pond. All in all, this site is time well spent to escape stress as we remember to dream and create.
Lessons Learned
Perhaps, as we look at all of these wonderful ideas, sketches and dreams shared, we might ask ourselves how we can do more too. There may be marvelous solutions right under our noses, just waiting to be discovered and shared. There are always people in need, the senior neighbor down the block, the isolated single mom who is struggling with family and finances, a distant cousin who never complains but may need a boost. Look around and reach out with handwritten notes, small gifts, baked goods, calls, texts or deliveries.
The list of needs in our current situation can seem endless, but I believe we are up to the challenge. The more there is to do, the quicker and stronger we all respond. In the midst of the pandemic, I have been amazed and inspired by the many people who cared enough to reach out, and step up to help all of us.
Let's thank them anyway we can and join them with spirited responses.
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