Don’t give in to fear. Now, we are experiencing a pandemic — it’s easy to be fearful.

It inspires me when I see how our community is there for us. There is food delivery, phone checks neighbor for neighbor, and A.L.L. (Association of Lifelong Learners) is preparing videos of their programs to view at home. This will be another new experience for us to live and learn through.

In life, as we travel from one experience to another, the dots that connect us are human stories.

I think of going places and being alone and not being fearful. I’ve traveled a lot and have never been afraid. People in every country have treated me kindly.

In Costa Rica, a young man crossed a plaza — left his friends standing there — to help me down a high cement staircase with no handrail. When I was safely down I thanked him and he returned to his buddies.

In Peru, a woman walked me back to my hotel when she realized I was lost.

In Africa, I missed my plane (got lost). I was helped to a new flight, a hotel and a cab and driver. The driver took me to and back from the hotel at 6 a.m. Charge: $15.

In Stratford, an easy walk from a play back to my bed and breakfast became an adventure after I got lost. (See a theme here…) Wandering the dark streets at 10:30 p.m., no one else was on the streets and no lights were on. I suddenly saw a young man running. I called out to him and he ran across the street to me and googled the address for me and I proceeded. A few minutes later I saw him running toward me. He came back to see if I was safe.

As I recite these anecdotes, it is for a reason.

Don’t be afraid to reach for a dream. People all over the world can be friends. Don’t count your years. Just do it.

Now while we are all in social isolation, I will not give you a hug but I will think it.

Remember, maybe coronavirus is a stinker, but people are naturally kind and good. Don’t worry about being alone — we never are.

As Christopher Robin says, “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think.”