Tell Me Somethin' Good

We have spent the last month checking in with our Gnomes, families, + friends around the world. We gathered short stories and moments that brought joy during this pandemic from across the country. Our goal was to share different points of view while continuing to foster a “traveling” perspective. If you haven’t shared your moment of joy, we would love to hear from you - Share your moment!

Every night at 7pm in NYC, folks stand outside their buildings (or lean outside their windows) and clap for our healthcare workers and frontline responders. I have a tambourine and my fiancee has a harmonica. Every night we stand outside with out neighbors, clap, make "music" and stand proud of our city's strength and resilience. This brings us joy. - Brooklyn, New York

During these unprecedented times, I thought obtaining joy was going to be really hard and let me tell you it really was hard to see in the moment. Reflecting back though, I see glimpses of joy that were really profound to me. One of the most special moments of joy was painting rocks with my nephew. We would sit in our backyard and search for the perfect rock and paint whatever we wanted. We listened to Disney music and just enjoyed the fresh Colorado air. Despite everything going on, I was able to focus on my time with him and our conversation. That moment will probably a memory that will be ingrained in my heart forever.  - Denver, Colorado

Something that helps bring joy to be is knowing that I am working hard. I work at super target and that keeps be busy three days a week. That I am with parents and get to talk to them every day. Then on wesnday I talk with my fellow fitness captains on zoom. Then checking in with my Therapists. Then I like to do puzzles with my mom. - Denver, Colorado

Social distancing has meant that my parents, siblings, and I (ranging ages 22 to 29) have all been quarantined under the same roof, making it an almost full house for the first time in years. With nowhere to go and little to do, we have all been helping in the garden, cooking meals together, and playing games in the yard like we are kids again. While this time is scary and uncertain, it’s been a decade since we’ve had time together like this, and that’s a beautiful thing! - Cincinnati, Ohio

I am a dog person, but I also believe there is a dog for each person. While I have wanted a dog for years, I never committed, I wanted that perfect dog meant for me. I have spent hours and hours doing deep dives into research on the perfect dog for each personality, profession, you name it. I have spent hours and hours and hours obsessively checking adoptions sites (if you are interested in adopting, let me know, I have like 8 sites book marked). Needless to say, I was not going to impulsively get a dog, I wanted the right dog. That all went out the window when week one of quarantine I woke up and decided I was going to get a dog. I now have a dog that defies all my research, but somehow manages to be better than anything I could have ever dreamt up. Sometimes you just have to go for it and forget all the research and planning, you might just find your new companion. - Denver, Colorado

My husband and I welcomed a new baby girl into our family this last November. Both my husband and I have jobs that can be pretty demanding—he travels a lot and I work pretty long hours. However the demands of our jobs have temporarily lightened with Covid 19. My husband hasn’t traveled for two months and has gotten to spend every evening with our daughter which has been just wonderful. Every night he takes her on what he calls “flower walks” and they go and look at all the different flowers in our neighborhood—she loves it! We know this time as a new family is so precious and short-lived so we are truly cherishing this time together. - Seattle, Washington

What brought me joy and happiness is inspiration and imagination. My number 1 idol is the man himself Walt Disney. His imagination inspired mine and because he had a belief in technology which led him to bringing in a great big beautiful tomorrow, I do too as well as love it and now I'm attempting to bring in a great big beautiful tomorrow. His supportive advising inspired me too and because of that, I'm always having a Zip-a-dee-do-da day! - Littleton, Colorado

I woke up this morning to a text from my neighbors next door to check out our tree. I looked outside to find a note from the little girls that read; “This is going to be our neighborhood wish tree. A wish tree is a tree that you can tie your wishes on or just what you want life to be like after corona virus. We got this idea from a book called, Wish Tree, by Katherine Applegate. You can tie your wish on with an old sock, or rag, or whatever you have that would be good for this.” - San Ramon, California

Before quarantine started, my best friends planned a celebratory girls weekend in Scottsdale. We were sad of course when plans had to be cancelled, but instead of letting it keep us all down, my friends planned a virtual bachelorette party where we all shared memories, jokes and a zillion laughs together. And it was the BEST thing ever. This reminded me to always cherish the amazing people you have in your life. They will always show up for you. This brought me more joy than I could have ever imaged! - Oakland, California

The Corona virus has shut down many businesses, and the business I work at is no exception. I am blessed though to keep my job and be compensated while the business I work at is shut down. I am also blessed to be able to use this time off to grow in my faith. I will never take my work or my faith for granted again. Lastly I have snuck in some great fishing at some local golf courses because no is allowed to golf! - Littleton, Colorado

I am a 1st grade teacher in Ridgway Colorado. My students were excited to raise chicks this spring in our classroom. Due to the pandemic I have been raising the chicks in my kitchen. The smiles on my students faces when they see the chicks over zoom makes my days way brighter! - Ridgeway, Colorado

In Chicago I have seen a lot of human compassion during these trivial times . Seeing so many diverse people come together has been great to see. I have seen people unite together to take care of their neighbors, elders, and various groups who are on the front lines of the disease. Covid-19 is a tragedy and so many people are negatively impacted by the disease, although seeing so many different people come together to unite restores my faith in humanity. - Chicago, Illinois

We have found new ways of creating joy in our lives. Since a lot is closed and we cannot physically see people, we have learned to diversify our evening an weekend activities. We now play soccer, basketball, and volleyball regularly after work! Additionally, we have created our own games, and been on so many beautiful walks and runs on the weekends. Quarantine life is all about finding and creating your own joyous moments. I am lucky to be quarantined with my fiancée who always keeps me positive! - Englewood, Colorado

I am so excited that I have had the time to finish a crochet square “quilt” that I have been working on. Like the Traveling Gnomes, I love to travel and I took my yarn and crochet needle with me on my travels during November, December, January, and February. The crocheted squares were made in Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colorado, Chicago, and Alaska and now these colorful, diverse and unique squares are just hanging out and complimenting each other by bringing out the brightest colors in each other. This lap blanket not only keeps me warm and brightens my day but it also reminds me of the wonderful times and people I was with during my travels in the last few months. - Anchorage, Alaska

I work at a long term care facility for veterans. Everyday I am filled with joy by witnessing the resilience of our veterans. Although most of our residents are at a very vulnerable age or have compromised immune systems, they remain positive and are very encouraging towards staff members. Their positive attitude and strength has spread to their care takers and has been able to help uplift the moral around the whole facility. - Denver, Colorado

Boardgame laughs with family! - Denver, Colorado

With no questions asked, our landlord waived our rent for a month. My partner and I were elated; it was generous, thoughtful, and a major stress relief. Also, our neighborhood has been posting rainbows and bears in home windows to create a scavenger hunt for kiddos and remind people to hold hope! - Berkeley, California