On my bike ride home from work this weekend, through the neighborhoods of Salt Lake City, I noticed more lights than usual illuminating the inside of homes. I suspect that on typical weekends those lights are off because individuals are out enjoying what the city and outdoors offer.
As I continued my commute home, I noticed that inside homes, groups gathered in living rooms, dining rooms and kitchens. Feelings of peace and safety came over me as I realized that, in the middle of local and national and world-wide uncertainty, more people than usual are gathered together in the security of their homes.
What an opportunity for all of us to use this time now to reconnect with those we live with and associate with. As we problem-solve and make plans moving forward, may all of us work on strengthening our roots at home so that we can re-emerge into our neighborhoods and community at the appropriate time to help strengthen community roots.
The meaning I make as I see more families gathered together out of necessity on a weekend night is that what we are going through now is preparing us for the crises ahead that are sure to come.
Have a good night, Salt Lake. I'm going to try and use my time the next many evenings to improve my relationship with those I live with, so we can be the type of home that contributes to a community that prepares instead of panics and shares instead of steals, a community that enjoys being together in good times and bad.
Spencer Hansen, M.D., Salt Lake City
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