Only a Phone Call Away

Written by Katie Ahern, Office and Communications Administrator

We’ve all heard that smiling is contagious. Currently, we live in a world where the majority of smiles are covered by a mask when we are out in public. We don’t get to see the smiles on the faces of our friends and family as often as we’d like, if at all. Yet even with our faces covered or distance between us, I’ve experienced that the contagious energy of a smile can still be shared.

In an effort to keep connected with members and their needs while CtK is temporarily closed, I had the opportunity to make personal phone calls to members and check in with them. When I asked how they were doing or if they needed anything, I found that many members who I have never met face-to-face before were more interested in checking in on me to make sure I, too, was doing well. Toilet paper jokes were shared. Prayer requests were collected. I knew I couldn’t change much for anyone with my phone call, but I hoped at the very least my phone call was a good part of someone’s day. What I hadn’t anticipated was the effect that speaking with CtK members would have on me.

Despite so much happening in the world that could cause anyone to justifiably choose to embrace any quality besides love, love was the overwhelming choice that people were choosing. Love to ask about my needs on a call that was meant to be focused on them. Love to seek the positive and take each day at a time. Love in finding a way to laugh during challenging times. Love to be okay with living through tough and lonely days. Love to embrace new ways of being in community.

We may currently live in a world less full of visible smiles, but that can’t stop the infectious nature of human love, care, and connection from being felt and spread, person to person. These qualities are not stifled by cloth or distance, and only require an open heart to be known and felt. 

Whether in person or apart, the CtK community is a strong one. Please know if you are in need of anything, we are here for you. We are all here for each other.