When we think about two of the most powerful words, “Thank you,” we automatically go back to our childhood. We think about our parents and grandparents reminding us – “Did you say thank you?” We think about some of our notable role models, like Mr. Rogers, Walt Disney, Bob Ross, and Shell Silverstein. 

“We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. […] There are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.” When saying this, Mr. Rogers encouraged us to look for and to look up to the helpers, those individuals trying to ease the burdens during unprecedented times like these.  

Walt Disney once said, “The greatest moments in life are not concerned with selfish achievements but rather with the things we do for the people we love and esteem, and whose respect we need.”  

While the rest of us try to stay safe at home, health care workers are on the front lines battling COVID-19. They don’t wear capes, but they are superheroes, having risen to the occasion by putting themselves selflessly out there in dangerous and uncharted territories every day – from New York to California, to all around the world – taking care of the most vulnerable in our communities.  

To home care agencies and skilled nursing facilities, thank you for all the sacrifices that you are making every day fighting this pandemic. We recognize your heroic efforts and are truly grateful for the work that you all do. Your dedication, commitment, and courage deserve our deepest gratitude and admiration. Your service to your clients is saving countless lives and making thousands of differences.  

To the caregivers, home care leaders, nursing home staff, and all those on the front lines protecting one of our most important and most at-risk populations thank you! Thank you for selflessly putting yourself in harm’s way to protect and take care of our parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and loved ones when we are not able to ourselves. 

We at Viventium wanted to show our gratitude to our heroes in health care for working tirelessly to care for those in need! “Viventium kids” (of all ages) volunteered their artistic efforts to say “Thank you!” throughout the last two weeks. As Bob Ross said, “I can't think of anything more rewarding than being able to express yourself to others through painting." 

Our “kids” jumped at the opportunity to show how thankful they were but also gave us, the adults, a chance to teach our children about the helpers. From there, others asked if they could contribute their artwork, and of course, we said yes – we encourage all to participate. 

To check out the amazing art that our little Picassos have made, we launched a dedicated webpage where they can all be viewed. So, if you have had a particularly tough day or experienced another COVID-19-related challenge, we want you to know we are all thinking about you and the amazing work you are doing. We can’t help but smile when we check out the page at www.viventium.com/thankyou. 

And, to help raise your spirits through these tough times, here’s a little poem we may all remember by Shel Silverstein: 

Draw a crazy picture,  

Write a nutty poem,  

Sing a mumble-gumble song,  

Whistle through your comb.  

Do a loony-goony dance ‘Cross the kitchen floor, 

Put something silly in the world  

That ain’t been there before.  

– A Light In The Attic