Isn’t it weird how the pandemic has changed the way we all do things now? Yesterday, I was standing in a socially distanced line outside a HomeSense. Gazing through the window, I found myself appreciating the privilege of going into a store. An experience I once took for granted has now become something much more precious.
Most of the shoppers were wearing masks. Everyone sanitised their hands at the door as they entered. A recording came on the PA system every ten minutes or so, reminding us to maintain a 6 foot distance from one other at all times. No doubt about it. It’s a very new kind of “normal”.
Twenty minutes later, I was standing in another socially distanced line at the check-out clutching a king sized pillow. The man in front of me had two giant round mirrors in his cart. We stood. And stood. And then the greatest thing happened. We both looked up at each other and locked eyes at exactly the same moment as if to say – in the nicest possible way – “Isn’t this surreal?”
Our mouths were covered by our masks, and I was glad they were. Our eyes were steering the conversation now. It felt kind of … well… sacred, you know?
Maybe one of the lessons we’re meant to learn from this global pandemic is that true connection with another human being doesn’t come from talking to them; it comes from looking into their eyes and feeling the connection. Really feeling it.
Imagine how different the world would be if we did this all the time. Pandemic or no pandemic.
Imagine. Just imagine.
