How a Neighborhood Chalk Walk Brings Hope and Smiles to a Quarantined Community

We’re living the stuff of a science-fiction movie.  Cue the ominous sound track.

Deserted schools and highways.  Shuttered stores.  Empty grocery shelves.  An invisible enemy threatening millions across the globe.  

We want to the film to end and reset to normal. But the nightmare doesn’t go away after the credits roll.  
 
Fortunately, communities are joining together to find creative ways to support each other during this worldwide health crisis.  Ways we couldn’t even imagine BC (before Corona).  

Ways like a Neighborhood Chalk Walk.  

Come along with me on a springtime photo walk through my ‘hood in central North Carolina.   See how Socially Distant Sidewalk Art delivers hope and smiles to a quarantined community. 

Hey, be sure to click through to the YouTube link at the end of this post for more sights and sounds of a Neighborhood Chalk Walk that will lift your spirits.
​

---

How’s your stress level these days
​in our upside-down world?
​ ​

Mine is off the charts.  To be honest, it’s hard to concentrate on writing my adult fiction and editing my middle-grade tale, let alone deciding what's left in the pantry for breakfast.

I do my best to maintain balance and health.  Geez, I lost 3 pounds.  Time to indulge in more stress eating!?!  

I stick to a daily routine.  Seek creative outlets.  Find gratitude in small things (like toilet paper and cleaning supplies - enough for us but not hoarding).  Reach out to family and friends on Zoom and social media virtually or wave to neighbors over the fence.  

These tactics work during the day,
but my worries spin out at night.  
Bizarre dreams
keep me tossing and turning,
waking up tired and drained.
Sigh.
​

Like everyone else, I hunger for human contact.

My suburban neighborhood near Raleigh, North Carolina, came up with a brilliant solution for coming together during our state-wide Stay at Home Order.  Our social team, via private Facebook group, asked residents to chalk sidewalks in front of their homes with encouraging messages and images for everyone to enjoy.  
​​

Then the best part: 
sharing our creations with a stroll in the 'hood
 at safe distances from each other. 
​

Please imagine ...

A sunny spring day. 
 
Gentle temps and breezes tickling your face.

Carolina-blue skies warming your heart.  

Birds chirping. 
 
Cherry and redbud trees blooming their sweet buds off.
(We also have pesky yellow pine pollen everywhere,
but we ignore it
in the glory of being outside and together, even from 6-fee away.)
​

---

Ready to stroll with me?  

We'll find ...

​​

HOPE ...

Positivity Photo by Neighbor Michelle

---

​
​INSPIRATION ...

Maya Angelou Quote Photo by Neighbor Lisa

---

​JOY ...

Dreamer Photo by Neighbor Tripp

---

​SMILES
​(there's always a joker in the crowd -:D)

Photo by Cat Michaels; weeds courtesy of The Anonymous Neighbor

---

Thanks for walking with me! 

That was just a taste of our chalking the walk.
To continue your happy escape ...

please click over to my YouTube video below.  

Find more sights and sounds
​on your Chalk Walk  
as a neighborhood 
brings hope, smiles, and more
to you and our quarantined community. 


​In the meantime ...

Stay Strong

Be Well

Keep Kind. 

We're gonna get through this together!
​

---

Please click over to my YouTube channel
​for more sights and sounds from a neighborhood Chalk Walk.

---

​YOUR TURN

I hope you’ll be inspired to find ways to bring your community together from safe distances, too.  Hang signs off the balcony or in windows.  Leave luminary or holiday lights glowing at night.  Please share your ideas in our comment section.  We need them!

---

---

   Twitter   Facebook   Pinterest   Goodreads   Amazon   Instagram