Missing the Smiles

Summary

Michael Thacker reflects on the importance of smiles in human connection, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic where masks have obscured this simple yet profound form of communication and expression of love and recognition.

Abstract

In his piece titled "Missing the Smiles," Michael Thacker delves into the significance of smiling as a fundamental human interaction, which has been greatly impacted by the necessity of wearing masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. He ponders the loss of this non-verbal cue that typically conveys warmth, acknowledgment, and love, and how it has affected both personal and stranger interactions. Thacker, who values his smile in his business dealings and personal life, laments the inability to share this basic human expression, which he believes is a key to success and connection. He questions how we now acknowledge each other's existence and express care without the visibility of a smile. The article is a contemplative musing on the emotional toll of the pandemic, emphasizing the pain of not being able to share a smile with loved ones, friends, or even strangers, which could potentially be the last opportunity to show affection or make someone's day.

Opinions

Thacker believes that a smile is a hallmark of success in his business and a crucial element in honest expressions and connections.
He emphasizes the importance of smiles in showing love, recognition, and the joy of being with others.
The author expresses distress over the loss of the ability to smile at others due to mask-wearing, considering it one of the most challenging and painful aspects of the pandemic.
Thacker suggests that the inability to smile could mean missing the last chance to express love or to positively impact a stranger's day.
He conveys a sense of frustration and loss over what the pandemic has taken from human interactions, particularly the simple act of smiling.
The article ends on a hopeful note, with Thacker expressing a desire for the return of the ability to smile freely and openly in the near future.

Even though it’s a small thing, and oh so easy to do to one another, I still miss it greatly. Do you?

Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love — Mother Teresa

I have been thinking about this a lot lately, especially in these days of coronavirus. How do we smile at one another?

In my business, my smile and my honest expressions are a hallmark of my success. Or at least I hope to think that my smile and my honest reactions have helped.

Yet in a time of wearing masks from the time that I get out of the car. Until the time that I get back into my car, I cannot show my smile.

Walking down the street, we don’t smile at one another. Our smiles hide behind our mask.

When we walk down the aisle of a store (if we dare), how do we acknowledge one another? How do we let others know that we know that they exist? That they are alive? That they matter?

When we are with our friends, we cannot hug them “hello” or goodbye. We cannot even give them a sweet smile showing our love for them. How much we enjoy being with them.

When meeting someone for the first time, a smile is a great way to say “hello.” Yet, we cannot do that; we cannot let them know of our interest.

Even when seeing family, not living with us, we cannot share in the smiles of the excitement of seeing one another. “It’s been too long,” and not having to say it aloud, but just showing it with our smile. Yet, we cannot do that.

It’s an odd time right now. Yes, many things are worse; how this disease has affected our world.

Yet, not being able to smile at one another is one of the most challenging. One of the most distressing. One of the most painful.

What if that smile that we can’t share were to be the last opportunity?

Sharing our smiles was our last chance to express our love for being with one another.

Smiling at a stranger today was our only time to be able to say “hello.” Perhaps our only way to make their day, or help make them feel better.

I hate what this disease is taking this from me. From you. From us.

Let’s hope that we can smile again soon!

POETRY

Missing the Smiles

Even though it’s a small thing, and oh so easy to do to one another, I still miss it greatly. Do you?

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