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No time to bet against America

    What a crazy situation we are in, a defining time in all our lives.  Our kids will see life with this as a reference point – life before Covid 19 and life after.  There will be stories to recount to kids, grandkids, in history books and biographies.   How do you want to define it?   Yes, there are people fighting over toilet paper and disinfectant wipes  But it is also a chance to see Americans shine and rise above the ordinary. I was reading a 2016 letter from Warren Buffet to his shareholders.  Referring to economy, he said ” For 240 years, it’s been a terrible mistake to bet against America, and now is no time to start”. I like this sentiment for this time in which we are in.  For every doomsday prediction and story, we can find a story of “Iowa Nice”.  We are also a very resourceful people, thinking of new ways to do business.   Some things I’ve noted.
  • I came home yesterday to an Easter bunny wallhanging and towel by my back door from a neighbor. Another neighbor left us warm roast beef in a container on the front porch.
  • Zoom is allowing their platform to be used by nonprofits, so a group of us have been meeting several times a week for a visit and prayer time.
  • Board games are left out and played often.  On our neighborhood FB page, one family offered to deliver from their board game library to others’ front step.
  • The local theater is offering curbside pick-up of a bucket of popcorn with an advance order.
  • Girl scout cookies can be paid for online, then donated to First Responders in the community.
  • Furloughed workers are offering to run errands for those unable to get out.
  • People are putting teddy bears in their windows for kids to “hunt”.
  • Nursing home residents are getting visitors outside their windows.
  • Parking lot performances are being shared on-line.
  • Colorful face masks being made in homes and donated to front-line workers.
  • Our local Chamber of Commerce just announced a contest for chalk art!
  Let’s follow Warren Buffet’s quote, we won’t bet against Americans creativity and resilience. Share your stories of Americans (and Iowans in particular) sharing and caring and finding new ways to do what needs to be done.