As a retired public relations person, I have a special relationship with National Days. We kept calendars of them to link with events and social media posts. So I can’t believe I missed National Cheer-Up-the-Lonely Day on July 11.

Thus, I’m declaring this National Cheer-Up-the-Lonely Week. As the pandemic eases, it’s much easier to cheer up those who have spent too much time alone for the last 15 months or so. Think mindfully about who needs some attention and offer it.

The website, nationaldaycalendar.com, makes these suggestions for cheering folks up. The most obvious is to visit someone. Here are others:

• Deliver a few spare magazines to an ailing friend.
• Watch a movie with them and share some freshly popped popcorn.
• Read a book out loud to your friend.
• Set up a playlist with inspirational music.
• Offer to go for a walk with them.
• Mail a sweet or funny card.
• Bake one of their favorite foods.
• Call and visit on the phone.
• Email funny jokes every day to remind them to laugh.
• Play a board game.
• Take someone on a drive.
• Play 20 questions.
• Watch funny YouTube videos together.
• Make a prayer list of those who are isolated, and pray for them.