Hello, and thanks for visiting Hope Spreads Faster.  Every one of us is experiencing the world in a very unique way right now.  I'm still adapting to adding the roles of teacher, chef, housekeeper, stylist, dog groomer, landscaper, handyman, and music director to my life, while feeling the fear and stress that comes along with living through this pandemic.  And I am, by no means, doing any of those things with grace.  I do, however, have hope.

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In mid-March, my Father-in-Law was diagnosed with Covid-19.  Within a few days, he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit and placed on a ventilator.  As he fought the virus, everyone in the family worked to get him the best treatments and advocated for him receiving emerging medicines.  My sister, an ER Physician, reached out to her peers on social media and via email and asked for help.  As we talked on the phone, she started updating me on the responses.  After a minute there were 1 or 2 looking to help.  Within an hour there were dozens, people from all over our country.  They were recommending treatments, calling the facility where he was, and connecting us with employees at labs and pharmaceutical companies who were at the forefront of this fight.  It was as though a wave of support had washed over us.

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We lost Walter on April 13th, the day after Easter.  I realized then that the feeling that had given me chills back when all of those contacts started mobilizing was hope.  It had spread from one person, to the next and to the next faster than this virus ever could.

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You don't have to feel alone or helpless.  You can be the hero to someone else.  Even if you don't win, even if you can't leave the house, even when you are not feeling so great yourself.  I promise you, you too can spread hope.