Featured Refresh
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Describe an experience this week that made you happy.
We took my son to an aquarium this week and it was so nice to have an outing to enjoy together. After so long with everything closed, restricted, or too risky, I have so much gratitude for these times when we get to go out and feel normal again. It was also a happy day because my son, who is quite cautious and tends to withdraw from uncomfortable or risky-seeming things, did something that for him was very brave. We were at the touch tank and we kept showing him how fun and safe it was to touch the rays. The aquarium staff explained that they have no teeth and their stingers are removed. But he wouldn't do it, not even once. However, about 45 minutes later, he asked to go back to the touch tank. He put his hands in the water, touched many of the rays, and even fed them a few fish. He was really excited, and I was so proud of him for getting up the courage to go back and try. We had seen some regression in him with the isolation of the past year, but this was a hopeful moment of progress and growth!
July 30, 2021
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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
Over this past weekend, I went to a beautiful spot on the coast of northern MA - Plum Island, pictured above. It is a wildlife sanctuary that includes beaches and coastal habitats. Although I grew up in MA, this is not a place I have visited often. My friend and I went on Sunday - a beautiful, hot and sunny day. We wore masks in her car and had the windows open. We hiked around wearing masks. Much of Plum Island is closed off to the public, but sections of the beach are open. We had lunch in one of these sections, sitting 6 feet apart, unmasked. When we left, we forgot to put our masks on, and didn't remember until we saw masked people coming toward us. It was so nice to take a break from COVID, even briefly!
August 31, 2020