There are now many new questions added to our conversation lexicon since Social Distancing began. Among them, “What do you miss?”. Last night, my recently divorced friend who has been living alone and working all in the same space, 24 hours a day, within her new home for the past several weeks said, “I just want to hug someone”. A friend with 6 kids all underfoot right now, “just want(s) some quiet”. And I continue to ask my original question, “What are we supposed to learn from this?”. The answers expand each day. Now I find myself asking, “What will YOU miss when it’s over?”.
Our lives have changed. I miss seeing my clients in person, hugging them “hello”, and working through their stress, their habits. I miss helping my clients make the changes that enrich and enhance their lives. I look forward to seeing clients face-to-face again. I miss gatherings and family time. I miss friends stopping by, and I miss sharing meals with friends and family. But I have answers to my new question, too.
I believe I will miss the new pace to life. I have time for a full workout every morning followed by a healthy breakfast. I have time to catch-up with my friends, share virtual cocktail and dinner hours, and catch-up on those nagging home projects. I can start cleaning out a drawer and finish it! That’s all nice. But, most of all I will miss the daily Zoom/Facetime chats with my grandchildren. When the phone rings early each morning and my 2 1/2 year old grandson is showing me which books he is ready to read together, my heart soars! He sits, almost quietly, as we share 4 or 5 books and start our day together.
And in the evenings, my 1 year old granddaughter “calls” and we play Peek-a-boo and practice any of the new things she’s learned that day including, “where’s your nose? Where is your belly?”. I watch her playing with toys, learning to kick her new soccer ball, and running through her playroom. And my heart sings!
So, I believe I am actually answering the question I have been asking since “This” began: “What are we supposed to learn from this?”. One of our lessons is perhaps to take the time and make the time to share and celebrate. Break out of the old patterns, and build some new ones.
My deep hope is that when “this is over” (whatever that means), I will spend time each day reading to my grandson, and as my other grandchildren are ready, we, too, will read together using digital technology that allows time together when space and distance do not. Maybe occasionally even on a Zoom conference call with everyone together sharing a book. Ahhhh…..my heart is filled.
I look forward to seeing you soon!