Hello Friends!

Of course, you will hear this from every source of communication this year — this Holiday Season will be unlike any we have had before. But I want to talk about the ways it can be a wonderful time even if we cannot gather in ways we have in the past.

Because now, more than ever, we need to connect. Our network of friends, families, neighbors and acquaintances is paramount to staving off loneliness. So, let us all start a practice of making contact. Call an old friend who you haven’t spoken to for some time. Waive at the gentleman who walks his dog by your house daily, cook something special for the neighbors, post a card to friends you have not interacted with via email or phone in the last 90 days.

My friend and her sister have kept in touch by phone weekly, but they’ve started to have a yoga date using a Zoom meeting. Another couple of friends are taking cooking lessons (think Vietnamese Pho and Chinese Dumplings) in a webinar. Connection is the best gift we can give each other — and ourselves. And our imagination and will to connect will get us to connections we may not have imagined a year ago.

Not as an advertisement for Amazing Care Network, but a reminder that we are here for each other. Reach out to other members, check in, meet someone new. And recall that the organization was founded to create a virtual village with members, supporters, and resources to help us all live our best lives. Have you attended a webinar? Did you see the last one about preparing homes for living in place? Are you itching to travel, so you’ll sign up for the December webinar called “Travel in the Time of COVID”?

There are resources available to members both on the public website and once you’ve logged in. Get information about health issues, caregivers, or find help. Or learn to improve balance, understand your finances, or connect with a gardening club. Just for members you can find a Medical Records Keeper, Estate Planning Guides or information about Hawaii’s Our Care, Our Choice Act. If you haven’t checked them out lately, spend some time seeing all of the information we’ve provided.

And now, I thank you all for being part of my network and for all of the love and support you have generously given to me and each other. I am a stronger and happier because of it. From all of us at the  Amazing Care Network, we  wish you safe and joyous Holidays and hope for a wonderous New Year!