Would you make a Covid care package for a friend?
Popcorn, chocolate and Cookie Time Cookies are currently sitting neatly in a brown paper bag in a gift box on my bench top. It’s not my birthday – I have Covid, and it turns out, some very thoughtful friends.
And while it makes me feel loved, and supports the fact I have amazing mates, it also makes me question my own thoughtfulness as a friend.
Would you send your pal a Covid Care Package, and if so, what would be in it?
It’s about day three, or four, depending on where you measure it from, but I’ve been in isolation since Tuesday when I tested positive.
Being a close contact with a Covid positive colleague last week, I suspected I might fall prey to the vid so I went in prepared, especially with my husband working away from town for more than a week. Knowing it would be just me and our 9-month-old mini schnauzer, I had homemade soup in the freezer, tissues, Panadol and ice blocks for a potentially debilitating sore throat.
As I told friends of my Covid status, every single one offered help if I needed, and I warmly thanked them and said I was sorted.
At least, I thought I was until day two had me thinking I should’ve stocked up on snacks to eat while binge-watching Netflix shows.
Then, as I walked past my letterbox this morning for Oscar’s daily walk (while social distancing and donning a mask), I saw a big brown paper bag. An ever-thoughtful friend had dropped off exactly what I needed, and more. Popcorn, Proper Crisps, tea, a packet of soup, Cookie Time Cookies, a Whittaker’s Blondie block and a fancy bottle of drink.
I was blown away, and called to thank her. Then a few hours later, as I lay on the couch in front of the fire watching Crazy Ex Girlfriend, a courier did a drop and knock. A parcel from my bestie.
She is recovering from Covid while running her home with two children, a husband and a cat. She lives 400 kilometres away and she thought to order me a special Packaged With Love box. Enter, more Cookie Times, popcorn, chocolate fish, lollies and a gingerbread man. As I reflected on what fabulous friends I have, including the friend who took Oscar to the beach for some much-needed exercise, I also questioned my own friend qualities.
I had text my best friend every day to check in on her, but I hadn’t done anything special.
With both these mates birthdays yet to come, I’ll be making sure I put in extra effort this year.