I keep seeing signs

Where children lead the way
London, ON
April 2020
This photo originally shared on Instagram

I'm seeing more signs pop up in our #LdnONT neighborhood, spontaneous examples of community spirit that never fail to prompt a smile.

It's hard to put into words how much I look forward to seeing them as I make my rounds with our dog. It may seem like a small gesture, or even a useless one, but I can guarantee you it is neither.

Nor will it be quickly forgotten when we eventually put all this - whatever "all this" is - behind us. Like so many facets of the current crisis, signs in sidewalk chalk, or taped to front doors and windows, and streetlamps, are fast becoming signatures of our time, indelible markers that will forever seal what it felt like to be right in the middle of it.

Like so many other aspects of our strangely turned-around day-to-day life, this is one loop that won't be closed anytime soon. The artists are largely invisible. We're all boxed into our homes. Or deftly avoiding each other when we're out. So there are no thank yous. No impromptu discussions with chalk-wielding neighbor-kids and their parents about how appreciative we are to be blessed by these small-but-not-so-small gestures.

Instead, there's a moment of warm realization of the goodness of others as we quickly do what we need to do outside before scurrying back to the safety of our homes. A reminder that kids and the rest of us alike are lucky at all to have ample supplies of chalk, great parents who show us the best way to use it, and safe homes to return to.

I'll keep looking for these signs, I'll keep sharing them, and I hope you will, as well. Because it's the small things that will help see us through. And I'd like to think some pretty powerful seeds of kindness are already being planted in the minds of children who are trying to make sense of what must seem, to them, to make no sense at all.

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