Fifty Years Later, the Sentiment Still Applies

Who knew that fifty years later we would be able to relate to such an icon phrase…

It would be so fine to see your face at my door…doesn’t help to know that you’re just time away

We have all experienced this over these last many months. Wanting to be with people we know, work with and care about yet being limited by time, distance and safety precautions. Carole King was talking about people at a distance, we are experiencing it due to a global pandemic yet the same heartache applies. I spoke to a woman today who was in her office and no one else was in sight. She had hoped the other people might be there as she misses those interactions, yet everyone else was working remote. There was a hint of longing as she told me this. I understood as I’m sure we all do.

I attended a meeting recently were everyone was wearing a mask. When I was driving home I realized I did not really know what the people looked like. I probably would not recognize them in the grocery store after that meeting. I felt like I missed out. I couldn’t see their faces, their smiles, their frowns, or their expressions at all. I missed the connection as the information shared was great, just not enough. I’m glad we were all cautious yet it left me feeling flat.

What a difference it makes in our relationships when we can actually see someone smile our direction. Their eyes brighten, our eyes respond and both of us know that someone noticed us today. It matters. Being seen, being acknowledged, being important enough to warrant a smile lifts our souls. No matter how much we have become accustomed to living at a distance we are still social creatures that need a bit of other people in our lives to remind us that we are not alone. Being able to see their face allows for a deeper connection and longer lasting relationships. Zoom can only go so far. I look forward to the days when we can see their faces at our doors, I know that it’s just time away.