Corona Daily 017: Pandemic Playmates

Only a fence separates the homes of Benjamin Olson and Mary O’Neill. Benjamin is 2 years old, and Mary will celebrate her 100th birthday in December this year. Benjamin lives with his parents. Mary lives on her own since she lost her husband 37 years ago. Though the Olson family lives next to Mary for the past twelve years, they have had little interaction.

Before Benjamin could talk, the pandemic began. At first, Mary began waving at the toddler from behind her window. Once the lockdown started, with nowhere to go and no one to meet, she started spending more time in her backyard to get fresh air. On the other side of the fence, she saw Benjamin walking his first steps. Mary started saying hello to him.

Mary uses a cane. Once, Benjamin threw a ball that landed close to the fence. With her cane, Mary reached over the fence and hit the ball towards him. Then Benjamin threw it back. That’s how their first sports activity began. Mary called it the Cane-ball game.

In a few weeks, Benjamin learned to open the gate separating him from Mary.

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In the spring, Mary gifted Benjamin her late son’s toy truck collection. It was lying in the basement for years. Benjamin loved the toys, and he began to recognize colours from the toys.

After receiving the toys, Benjamin decided to give Mary something in return. He grasped a pile of dirt and with a smile handed it over to Mary. In his little hands, sometimes he carries leaves, sometimes dirt.

Mary talked to him all the time. Despite Benjamin’s age, she found his understanding was excellent. He didn’t talk much, but it was clear he understood what she was saying.

Recently, Benjamin started speaking more words. He called her “Mimi”. He would say Mimi, and his parents knew their son was planning to visit the neighbor.

Playing with a two year old, Mary rediscovered her childlike spirit. The pair is often seen playing with bubbles and water guns.

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Mary, who lives in Minneapolis, has two children, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. However, all of them live in other states, far from Mary. In the pandemic, it was impossible for her to see any of them.

If not for her young friend, the months of pandemic isolation would have been a lot lonelier. ‘I wouldn’t have had anything to do’, Mary said. Playing with Benjamin was something she looked forward to every day.

Mary keeps careful count of Benjamin’s milk teeth, and progress of his walk and talk. He is the nearest thing to a grandchild, she says.

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Recently, NBC interviewed Mary and Benjamin’s mother, Sarah Olson.

Mary said she missed Benjamin on the days when it was too cold or rainy to go outside. She looked forward to meet her young friend every day.

Sarah said her son’s friendship with the neighbor was formed naturally. “We didn’t have to work on it at all, it just happened really naturally.” Sarah said she was teary-eyed when listening to Mary. Mary is fiercely independent, and doesn’t show emotions easily. “Mary really is Benjamin’s best friend. She’s his first best friend.”

The Olson family has been invited to Mary’s 100th birthday. Her friend, 98 years younger than her, will surely bring her more leaves and dirt as a birthday gift.

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Ravi