by Jacque Amweg, LSCSW, LCSW, CT, Clinical Social Worker, EMDR Therapist
Sprinkle Day.
Did you ever think it would feel so good to simply drive through town or sit ten feet from a loved one in the driveway? Could you ever have imagined that working in the grocery store would become as frenzied as it became for a while? Should we have expected that real life would become more dramatic and painful than fictional television? Sadly, we were separated from our family and friends as a result of: working in an at-risk essential job, losing a job, or working from home with toddlers as “coworkers.”
In my day-to-day work, I often speak to people who are going through additional crises. These days are hard for those who were already grieving, depressed or anxious. While it is typical for me to encourage good self-care, expression of grief, and staying connected to others, all of those suggestions have become more difficult to carry out. Joining with others for support has morphed into using screen time and phone calls to connect. Doctor appointments for wellness are now more complicated with cumbersome procedures.
We miss the much-needed physical contact and face-to-face interaction with friends and family. It’s important to acknowledge the additional distress all of this poses on our well-being. I added two other suggestions recently: limit exposure to the news and try to maintain a daily schedule.
A Memory
My brother recently shared a memory from his early teens. He calls it a “sprinkle day.” He fell and broke his ankle and had to be taken to the doctor. The way he tells it, the other four of his siblings had to go to school while he went to the doctor, had his leg put in a cast, and then Mom treated him to ice cream. To this day, he thinks of that as a special day. He had Mom’s undivided comfort and attention for the entire day and he had ice cream with sprinkles. He still acknowledges that he longs for a sprinkle day now and then. Frankly, it makes me wish we could all have a sprinkle day.
I know my brother’s sprinkle day happened organically, but maybe it’s possible to take what made it special and create an intentional day of comfort. For example:
- Individual undivided attention without the rest of the household
- Comfort when we are hurting or lonely
- A special treat
Here’s how it happened recently in my world. It was just my grown daughter and myself with each other’s undivided attention sitting at a social distance on the porch on a beautiful evening. We talked and laughed about our worries and pains. We relaxed, colored in adult coloring books, and had an adult beverage.
Just as every event and idea changes and evolves these days, creating a sprinkle day takes some creativity and adjustment. Our well-being and happiness depend on this kind of intentional self-care. What are your ideas for making your sprinkle day happen?
Kansas City Hospice Grief Support Specialists are available to support and listen. 816.363.2600.
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