Spreading messages of hope on Britannia Road

 

In uncertain times, people react in different ways—some hunker down, some reach out with kind words and gestures; some withdraw, while others look for ways to help. All are normal responses to the weirdness of days spent with fewer freedoms than we are accustomed to.

We’ve shared with our readers stories of people connecting those who need help with those who can offer it (like this one: Local mediator creates Facebook group to help people connect for support and supplies).

Of local businesses doing what they can to help even as their workplaces shut down or are impacted by the pandemic (like these: Deerhurst Resort donates thousands of masks, gloves and disposable thermometers to local hospital and Local restaurants provide meals for frontline workers).

Of people pulling together to support frontline workers (like this one: Local initiative creating face shields for PSWs, long-term care workers, essential business staff).

Or of people sharing hope and good cheer with their communities (like these: Cameron of Lochiel helping to ease neighbours’ isolation with solo music outside their homes or The Huntsville community rocks! Encouraging messages being left all over town or a young boy delivering homemade newpapers to his neighbours).

Here’s another one.

Earlier this week, when Donna Hughes noticed a woman getting out of her car on Britannia Road and running up to the address sign at the end of a driveway, she wondered what the woman was up to.

The next day, she noticed that hanging from many address signs and mailboxes all along the road were inspirational words drawn on slabs of birch. Love. Laugh. Pray, Live. Enjoy. Hope. And more.

“This sweet heart of a lady went from one end of Britannia Rd to the other end, 8 kms long and only missing a few,” Hughes wrote in an email to Doppler.

Although she didn’t find one at the end of her driveway, Hughes appreciated the gesture and holds out hope that the woman will return with more.

“…hoping she is coming back as I will nail mine to a tree so it will be there always as a reminder of 2020 and how this pandemic has separated us and at the same time, has brought us together,” wrote Hughes. “A reminder that we need to take time for loved ones and the very short time we have together. A reminder to create our own fun and entertainment and not rely so much on technology. A reminder that there are so many good people out there that go above and beyond with their kind gestures.”

Above: From one end of Britannia Road to the other, someone hung inspirational words like these on address signs and mailboxes. (Dawn Huddlestone)

Has someone done something to help uplift your community? Tell us about it in the comments.

 

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