Something's Missing

Downy Chick, 8x10 acrylic painting, now available in little art print at https://Joyclee.com/susie-caron-art/

Something’s Missing
Susie E Caron  (4/25/2020)
 
Since March, the rapid spread of Covid – 19 caused much of normal life and work to stop. As a retired person, turned full time artist, I like being at home. I only venture out occasionally for groceries, medicines and appointments. However, after three weeks of 'shelter in place' I felt a slight yearning I could not explain… Something was missing.
 
The third week in April, a few businesses reopened so we took our car to get the summer tires put on. The auto repair owner asked that we respect health care guidelines and put our keys in the key drop box.  At home,  I tucked them into an envelope and thought to add a note. I wrote, “Thank you”, followed by our names.
 
Later that day the owner called to tell me I could pick up the car. However, I was a little surprised when she first said, “Thank you for your card. It meant so much to us!” I replied a bit sheepish, “It was just a little thing.” She continued to insist it had meant ‘everything’ to them all.
 
Suddenly, I wished I had done something more.
 
As I pondered our exchange, I realized I needed human contact. Even brief contact, of daily encounters with neighbors, businesses, and those I know as friends can make a difference.  Social media seems to help but it really is not enough.  Just a few words, a kind thought, a joke shared in a card, by phone, and in person makes life rich.
 
Because of the auto repair owner’s unsolicited reaction to my feeble card (one stashed in a drawer for ‘someday) I knew I needed to do ‘something more.’ However, stay at home and social distancing prevented shopping or visiting. My timely remedy appeared through a local business.
 
Dan Pattullo , owner of the Village Frame Shoppe, recently provided a new service for customers like me.
 
In early March Dan recognized a need. He produced an adjunct web site to his Village Frame Shoppe. Joyclee.com offers little art prints (4x6 inches, ready to fit in 5x7 inch frames). Customers may select fine art prints from the list of participating artists. They fill out a message to be enclosed along with the address of the recipient. (There are also message suggestions in a drop-down menu) The art print, message, envelop, and mailing are all done for customers for $7.00 each! What could be easier?
 
Along with other artists, Dan invited me to join Joyclee. Eager to be a part of this service I offered my pet and wildlife prints to the site. Within a month Joyclee.com added more artists displaying a larger variety of artistic subjects and styles.
 
I feel humbled and grateful for the person who helped me to recognize how much personal contact was missing in my life. Now as a Joyclee.com customer and I can easily send a little art print with thanks, love and gratitude to those I care for.

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Monarch - 1, 8x10 acrylic painting now as a little art print at https://joyclee.com/susie-caron-art/

PS: Order this weekend (4/24-4/26/2020)
& you'll find a 15% off popup coupon at
https://joyclee.com/susie-caron-art/
Hint: ​Use the code SCART
Click Comment above article and Tell me:
How are you connecting with people you love, admire and want to thank? 
Tell me what you think of this idea and service?                                                           What do you do to stay in touch?

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