Checking-In

Checking-in on people isn’t always easy, but it is worth-while. While the Internet and social media have made checking-in easier it can still take some hard work. I was brought-up to check-in on friends and family and I have done that whether I lived in another State or in another Country: Germany, Russia, the US (and regardless of where in the world they lived.) 

-  On 9-11, I was in Massachusetts and had trouble checking-in on my Parents (my Dad worked inside the Pentagon and my Mom worked in DC.) Their work phones, cell phones and e-mails went unanswered for hours. After hours of trying different people and means I was able to get ahold of my Sister (in New York) and she was able to get a quick update from my Parents. I then updated everyone else. 

- Also on 9-11, I was able to help a stranded Russian friend (she had been working at the same overnight Summer Camp for the Mentally and Physically Disabled that I worked at and was visiting NYC before going home) in New York City get a message to her family back in Russia that she was safe. She had to wait hours in line at a payphone to talk to me and I then had to call her family in Russia (who only spoke Russian) and give them updates. I kept that going until the airports were reopened and she flew home a few days later. 

- Years after leaving Germany I sent a letter to the last known address of a friend there. The letter was seen by someone who knew this person and mailed it to them in the States where they were now living. That friend then sent me an e-mail (I had included my e-mail and home addresses in the letter) and we kept in contact. 

- The other day I checked-in on a neighbor that I don’t really know. He is a Veteran and his wife is disabled (I have never seen or talked to her.) They are true Mountain folk who like to keep and do things for themselves. Years ago I extended and open-invitation to the man to call or just come by if they ever need anything. The other day I re-issued that invitation. He said they were fine, but that he appreciated the offer. I doubt they would accept my help, but at least they know it is there.

-  The New York nursing home my Grandmother lives in (she is 93 years old) has been closed to outside visitors since March 11th. My Great-Aunt - her Sister (who is 90 years old) lives in a different part that is connected to the nursing home. My Great-Aunt has visited my Grandmother every night since they moved there 6 years ago. The nursing home connector has been closed to my Great-Aunt and so she can’t see my Grandmother (and there is no phone in my Grandmother’s room.) For the past several years I would get updates about my Grandmother from my Great-Aunt and would send both letters in the mail and vice versa. Now even my Great-Aunt can’t get an update or see her Sister. I was able to get ahold of my Uncle who was able to call the nursing home’s main number and have them bring the phone to my Grandmother so he could speak to her. He told her about all of us and she told him about herself (which helped her not be so scared about everything going on.) My Uncle then e-mailed me and I updated the rest of the family including calling my Great-Aunt (who was relived to know some news.) 

Checking-in doesn’t only have to be during an emergency, but just on a regular day. It lets people know you are thinking about them as well as giving them information on events or others that they may not know. 

So, please take a moment to check-in on a friend, family-member, neighbor, complete stranger and their pets (especially the elderly, the lonely, the sick and the disabled.) You don’t have to do anything except lend them your ear.