These are unprecedented and tough times for most of us. Unemployment is at an all time high, the lack of social contact is exacerbating the levels of depression and anxiety, and the world is in a state of constant fear due to the coronavirus.
However, we must always remember that these tough times too shall pass.
And it is important that we do all that we can to spread cheer and happiness among ourselves, our families, and our communities in whatever little way we can.
86-year-old Nancy Connor from Pawtucket, Rhode Island in the United States of America is doing exactly that.
Nancy has been through World War II, but she believes that this pandemic has caused more sadness and despondency in the world than the war. And she took it upon herself to bring a smile to her neighbors.
“I went through World War II which was tough but it’s nothing like what’s happening now. Everything is so sad,” Connor was quoted as saying.
“People are walking up and down the street looking very sad and I thought well what can I do? I’m handicapped,” she said.
However, she realized one thing – people love animals. And this prompted her to begin working on a super innovative idea: she thought of setting up her own stuffed animals ‘zoo’ in her front yard.
And how did she manage to buy all the soft toys for this project?
Being the magnanimous soul that she is, Nancy spent every last penny of her stimulus money to buy these toys online!!
Isn’t this just so large-hearted?
So now, Nancy’s front porch has an inviting sign that warmly says, ‘Welcome to the Zoo.’
And once you peek inside, you’d notice some monkeys hanging around, and lions lazing around in then lawn. Peacocks, zebras, giraffes, and kangaroos – you name them and you’d find them in her zoo! Would you also believe that there is a penguin that is poking its nose through Nancy’s fence?
Nancy got some help from a local firefighter who lives on the same street as hers to set up the zoo. And now, she has several visitors each day!
“Many, many they come every day,” said Nancy. “They come by, they walk and point, and the kids smile. It’s worth all the effort I’ve put into it because everybody looks happy that comes by.”
Nancy enjoys looking at the visitors but she does maintain social distance.
And while Nancy admits that she could have used the money from the stimulus package on herself, she also says that the happiness she gets out of making others happy is priceless.
“It’s worth everything,” she says. “It makes me happy to see people happy again, even if it’s only for a couple of minutes.”
Wouldn’t the world be a much better place if we had more people like Nancy around?
Go ahead, do your best to spread happiness across! Be the best version of you!
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