Earth Day
I’m sitting at my dining room table surrounded by the paraphernalia of mask making production. The snow outside looks more like cottonwood fluff than snow but I guess it’s New York's last nod to Winter. Spring here is always like this and it’s my favorite season. I like the mystery of not quite knowing if we’ll get sun or rain or this hint of snow. The Daffodils look stoic wearing white frosty shrouds and budding apple tree blossoms look downright hopeful.
We’ve been at this mask making project for going on six weeks now and the requests for more keep coming in. We have over 250 volunteers helping to sew, cut and deliver to organizations all over the capital district and a few beyond. We’ve delivered over 3,000 masks. Thank you all for your help and for your good humor.
My front porch is a turnstile with mask parts going out and finished pieces coming in. Now and then I notice someone and go to the window to wave hello or shout a few words back and forth. I get to see the masks in action this way too. There are always smiling eyes above those cheerful pieces of fabric. It’s a nice addition to these unusual days.
Our MoonCatcher Secretary, Ginger, sews in solidarity with so many across the country who are making masks for their communities.
In India, our tailors, who live in the same building that houses our sewing center, have continued making masks and MoonCatcher kits too. The kits have been going to migrant workers who are sheltering in place far from home; the masks have been going to essential workers in Delhi. India has completely shut down. Ruchika, our MoonCatcher representative for India tells me that the streets have never been so quiet.
Our partner, Ruchika, remains in India for the foreseeable future.
We’ve checked in with our African tailors to find out how they are doing and what they may need. Everyone is sheltering in place, and taking care to observe social distancing and hygiene. The shops and schools are all closed.
It concerned us that without work (MoonCatcher sewing, and other work as well) food would be difficult to buy for our tailors. We’ve set up a system where food can be bought in bulk and divided among all the families. These amazing people are part of the MoonCatcher family and it gives us peace of mind to know they are provided for.
I am humbled by their words of concern. They know the US has more cases of the virus than anywhere else and they tell us that they keep us in their prayers. They wish us well and ask over and over if I am well.
My garden has peas planted and some lettuces and radishes. I’ve been wishing people a Happy Earth Day today. Happy because the earth hasn’t been this clean in a long time so I imagine she is happy. In the midst of all this hardship it’s hopeful to think we are learning something about using less and taking better care of our resources.
My friend, Deborah Friedman, sent me this beautiful painting that seems so appropriate for today.
Happy Earth Day to you all.