The human community used to be so easy to enjoy and understand in the gathering places: standing in a bank line or meeting someone at the grocery, a friendly greeting created a connection between two strangers. Or, there’s a person you haven’t seen for months – and renewing the connection.
Human connection is critical to our nature as social beings. I am not self-aware without the feedback from a friendly interaction or a greeting ritual (“Hi,” a smile, a nod). Self-awareness evolves as we grow in society, and the daily interactions enrich that awareness.
The pandemic has turned it all upside down. “Wear a Mask!” to control germs, but it hides your face, so you barely know with whom you are talking. And, you are not supposed to interact with the next person in line, but stay six feet from him or her. To be clear, I accept the necessity of wearing a mask, scientifically proven for the health of the individual and society.
This forced separation has become our new way of life. It means we can greet people with a friendly smile, but it is hidden behind a mask and may not be noticed. I have written over 200 human interest stories for the Suburban News and Hamlin-Clarkson Herald over the past 20 years. Each started with meeting those people in the gathering places, enjoying a friendly chat with them, then writing their story. I did not appreciate at the time how valuable human contact can be with no visual hindrance.
For now, this friendly conversation is a thing of the past. Meeting and greeting people in a close personal way is a pleasure that is greatly missed.
We are in this together. And, we will recover with a new appreciation for that face-to-face interaction.
Doug Hickerson, Toano, Virginia
