We are so consumed by the fast pace of our lives and lost in the usage of gadgets that we usually forget to pause and appreciate the things and people around us. But the pandemic put a forceful stop to everything. In many ways, it taught us to re-live and survive through one of the worst adversities faced by man-kind all over the globe.

For us as well, it was no different, there was distraught in the air, everyone was gripped with fear for one’s own safety and of their loved ones, close and far away. These testing times made us compassionate towards one another. We rekindled our ties with neighbors, made an effort to know the ones whom we hadn’t met, giving each other strength that this too shall pass and we all are in this together.

Once it was safe for us to move around, every evening, the three of us (Puchki, Hubby dear and I) would step out for a brisk walk and Puchki would be riding her bicycle. This was when, we would get to interact with fellow residents and check on their well-being, while maintaining social distancing.

In the midst of all this, we came in contact with an elderly couple, who would either take a walk in a nearby park or sit in their balcony. Puchki would continuously ring her cycle bell till she got their attention, wish them and peddle away in a jiff. We would exchange pleasantries and then continue with our walks. Soon we got to know the entire family and developed a bond, which in many ways is cosmic. It’s often said that ‘Neighbors are the closest to kin’, it does not hold true for us, as now ‘We are one big family’, together celebrating all occasions and festivals, knowing we will be there for each other, when the need arises.

The pandemic experience taught me that each individual is a reflection of the community we want to live in and raise our children. If we are civil, understanding, kind and caring towards one another, it would be reciprocated a thousandfold. It is not that difficult, all we need to do is spare a few minutes and have a chat with the people around us, check on their well-being, help settle down the ones who are new in the neighborhood; eventually these efforts would result in building ties that will go a long way; creating bonds thick as kin.