You may have heard them.
At 8pm each evening, they come out in force in our neighborhood, around Colorado, and around the world.
But they are not to be feared. They are to be joined.
They are The Howlers.
People around the world are joining in a chorus of howls every night for many reasons. Some howl to show their gratitude to our local health care workers. Some howl to grieve loved ones who are sick or have passed away from Coronavirus. Others howl to connect with people in their communities. Still others howl to let off steam.
And not for nothing... howling is fun!
The howling movement was the brainchild of two Denverites, Shelsea Ochoa and Brice Maiurro, when they started the Facebook group, Go Outside and Howl at 8pm. They have a friend whose California neighborhood howls during every sunset, so it seemed like a natural thing to encourage. Since its birth on March 27, 2020, the group has grown to over 500,000 members from all over the world, and it is still growing. Ochoa and Maiurro encourage members to "invite their peeps"!
Even the Colorado Governor, Jared Polis, has encouraged the communal experience.
I joined Go Outside and Howl at 8pm at the start, and my family has been howling every night. I tell you what... if nothing else, it gives my kids a feel-good moment to look forward to all day. But I think it's much more than that. It's pretty moving to witness. We might not be able to reach out to our family, friends, neighbors, and community in person these days, but we can sure give them a big ol' howl.
Will you join us?
