What Do I Miss

Guest Author, Barbara Mair

At first I thought that the thing that bothered me most about my life in quarantine was not being able to speak to people in person.  In fact, days would go by when the only live person I might see was my mailman, through the front window.

Oh I speak to a lot of people - by phone and by zoom.  I have zoom get-togethers with my family, two groups of friends, my church service and coffee hour, 3 different church committee meetings, and lots of exercise with zoom.  I also FaceTime my sister, my grandchildren and my doctor.  But I so missed speaking to people in person.

Then I started walking - socially distanced - with friends.  I do it several times a week and it makes a big difference.

But I have discovered that speaking to people in person was not the thing I missed most.  I crave the touch of another person.  This past week I went to 3 different doctors (in-person appointments for the first time since the quarantine started).  Each one touched me at some point.  It was like electricity to me.  And the technician who runs the mammography machine put her arms around me as she put me in the position she wanted me in.  Oh! It felt SO good!  I was enveloped in warmth and a feeling of security.

I will never again take hugging for granted.  I will treasure each hug as a very special gift.

Surrounded by my family whom I have not been able to see