We need to take a second to thank all of the delivery workers out there. Every day, they're trying their hardest to deliver our packages and keep us safe from going to actual retail stores. Meanwhile, they're out in the open all day, overworked. But that doesn't mean a driver is quick to rush through their day.
A doorbell video captured the moment that an Amazon delivery worker named Monica Salinas stopped to pray for a boy who might be susceptible to the virus. Back when this started, we assumed that children were immune to suffering severe effects from catching the virus. Since then, that assumption has been proven wrong.
The video was taken outside the Idaho home of Raquel and Derek Pearson. Their son, Lucas, is only 8 months old. He's currently suffering from a congenital vascular anomaly, which means his immune system is compromised. He's more at risk than others of getting sick, and possibly of dying.
Many parents with at-risk children usually let neighbors and delivery drivers know with a note. It's just a good way to let them know why they're being extra careful.
According to KTVB7, Monica was delivering food for the sick child. Before heading back, she said a prayer for the child — which was a nice yet unexpected gesture. Lucas has issues with eating, so his parents need to order special foods and products online to make sure he has enough food.
"He needs special thickeners to be able to eat, otherwise he aspirates his milk, so we really depend on getting all of these supplies online so we don't have to go out to the store and bring a virus home," mom Raquel Pearson said to KTVB. "We just want to minimize exposure to coronavirus." The condition alone is stressful. With the virus, it's even harder to manage.
The Pearson family is doing everything they can to help out poor Lucas. But unfortunately, not everyone in their neighborhood has been so kind. Some people refuse to social distance and wear masks, which makes the situation even tougher for them. "I just wish they understood how scared we are as parents, and how scared other people are," Raquel said.
That made Monica's gesture even sweeter. "I noticed that she was standing there, and I didn't really realize what she was doing until I saw her doing the sign of the cross," Raquel said. "I was like 'Oh my gosh, she was praying.' So, I kind of choked up a bit."
In times like these, even the small gestures count. Especially when you've been social distancing and the definition of socialization has changed so much in mere weeks. "It's been really hard to get through this, so I'm really touched that a stranger would take time out of her day to wish our son well like that," she said.
Raquel's husband Derek was also really touched by the gesture. "She had let me know that the delivery driver was doing a prayer for Lucas," he said. "We have a sign on the door letting the delivery drivers know we have a high-risk child, and we thank them for putting themselves out there in the mix every day."
"It just meant a lot that she took that time out of her busy day to pray, and send positive vibes to Lucas and our family," he continued. "I was really touched by it." But that wasn't all — Raquel also made sure to share the doorbell video online, so that others could see Monica's act of kindness.
After it was shared, the delivery driver was officially identified. And apparently she was blown away by the number of texts she got regarding that moment. "People just started blowing us up like crazy," Monica said. "They were like 'Did you stop and pray at a house?' and I was like, yeah!"
Monica said that their note on the door made her heart heavy the second she saw it, right at the start of social distancing. "There was a note and it said their baby's food was essential, and every time I see that note, it just touches my heart," she admitted. "I just stopped to do what my heart told me to do, to say a prayer for the baby and for the parents because that's got to be very painful for all of them to see their baby hurt and struggle."
"I just prayed that they can make it through another day, one day at a time," she continued. That small act of kindness was all the family needed to try to get through this time. It's amazing to think about how much our actions can positively impact others.
And right now, that's one of the best things we can do. Publicly thanking those on the front lines — and perhaps decorating our homes for those passing by on their walks outside — can make a difference in everyone's morale. Stopping and thinking of others, like Monica did, also helps.
"It means a lot to our family, just genuine kindness," Derek said. "It's just a breath of fresh air to see stuff like that at a time like this when people really need to come together now more than ever. It's really powerful and we appreciate any positive energy that is sent to our family right now. So thank you so much, the gesture is really appreciated by myself and my family."
If you're looking for more ways to spend this time, consider writing thank you letters to the people still going into work every day. Not all of us have the luxury of working from home, and people like Monica risk exposure by doing the job she's doing. However, without her, Lucas wouldn't have what he needs to survive.
These jobs are emerging as being some of the most important around. Without them, this situation would be even harder than it is. It's nice to know that they're still trying so hard to be optimistic. Monica's behavior is worth emulating. Even if you're not religious, sending good vibes someone's way may be just what they need.
