Several weeks ago, Key Food of Howard Beach used their weekly ad space on the back cover of The Forum to deliver a message. It was a message of hope directing the reader toward one irrefutable component of virtually every tragedy––the proverbial silver lining.
Despite the pain and hardship that accompanies tragedy, the human spirit rises like a phoenix from the ashes. It is filled with mercy, compassion, caring, sacrifice and the determination to help.
We saw it in our local communities on Sept. 11, 2001, and for months after the terrorist attacks. We held each other together, using prayer, conversation, gatherings, and whatever else we needed to hold on to the life of a nation that was stripped away in one fateful morning. We were there for each other and for those directly impacted by horrible personal loss of their loved ones.
Then when Superstorm Sandy came to town in October 2012, we saw that spirit soar again. Most of those who still had their homes were without electric, heat and water. People were left without clothing, food or shelter. But everywhere we looked, there were other people rushing to their rescue giving whatever they could, whenever they could.
So it turns out that there really is “a silver lining.”
Admittedly, the present situation is far different than the aforementioned tragedies. We were not limited or restricted in terms of moving about freely, and we were permitted within 6 feet of each other. We could hug and comfort our grandchildren—which if the truth be told here is by far the worst penalty of COVID-19 for me—and we could be together with those we most need to share hard times with. Not so where COVID-19 is concerned. It has put us in isolation hell and this past weekend threatened to take away one of the holidays most beloved by children—Easter.
This time the silver lining arrived in a furry white suit with pink ears and a noticeable overbite. Yes, the Easter Bunny took to the bed of a pickup truck and drove by every street in Howard Beach, Lindenwood and Hamilton Beach thrilling young and old alike.
“Drive-by Easter” was yet another manifestation of the human spirit at its best. This time it was led by a very familiar and beloved Howard Beach personality, Nick “the Balloonatic” Rotondo. Nick has been featured in this paper over the last few weeks because it seems that he is forever devising ways to keep the spirit of the neighborhood alive and kicking.
The immeasurable gratitude of the community was unmistakably imprinted on hundreds of faces who gathered in the streets outside their homes to wave and shout a Happy Easter to the Easter Bunny and who in turn got a huge wave and a few dance steps. Despite the fact that I witnessed this first hand tethered to the back of another pickup truck, it was undoubtedly one of the best experiences of my life, all thanks to Nick.
It was a reminder that a little kindness and thoughtfulness is what really goes the distance in troubled times. So when we are back on the street and have long-abandoned Pea Pod and Amazon deliveries for actual store visits, when we can hug and kiss our friends and family, when we can worship together, eat and drink together, see a show together, go to a game together, or just sit in our living rooms together, maybe just maybe we will remember never to take even the simplest things for granted.
I know I will.
