These days, I find myself humming a cheery popular tune of the ‘50s which can still be found on the internet. It begins, “I love those dear hearts and gentle people who live and love in my hometown.” It echoes how I feel about the special happenings around our residence during these difficult pandemic weeks. We’ve had our share of rules and regulations, ups and downs, and even weeks of isolation in its various forms. However, the outpouring acts of kindness that we’ve experienced, compliments of our friends and partners, have lifted our hearts and filled us with gratitude to live in this blessed city.
A host of rituals began several weeks ago when a sparkling red fire engine and three accompanying vehicles using low horns, circled our driveway to honour our healthcare workers as they stood with us waving and social distancing on the sidewalk. It was a beautiful gesture. The insistent honking and flapping of our six resident geese added to the cacophony.
A few days later, one of our dear friends rolled up her sleeves and baked 125 large, delicious chocolate chip cookies and brought them to the front door. It was a surprise and treat to find them on the ledge outside our suites. Another friend brought two large bags of candy that was added to our individual pandemic survival bags. It too, sweetened our stay in isolation.
Visitors in London Ontario, May 24th
London Fire Department visit, May 23rd
Sunday evening, a group of about 50 women and men arrived to walk around our building waving and chatting to us on our balconies above the drumbeat and ringing bells. They carried signs which read, “We love you” and various affirming statements. Among those represented were Kings University College, My Sisters’ Place, Pillar Non-Profit, The Threshold Choir, Anova, St. Peter’s Seminary, and several others.
Most recently, a former staff member of many years at The Mount came with his wife and daughter to attach two beautiful hearts on two trees: one at the front and one at the back of our home. We watched the process and chatted with this thoughtful family. As they drove away, I mused on how each gesture of love and affirmation, as well as the continued dedication of our staff above and beyond the call of duty, fills our hearts with profound appreciation. As Bing sang so many years ago, “Those dear hearts and gentle people will never ever let you down.”
-Sister Jean Moylan, csj
