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Abstract

ing me from the other direction. I decided to make the move and step out of her way to create as much distance as I could.I smiled at her when she passed and she acknowledged me by nodding her head.A few moments after she passed by, she went out of her way to come back to me and say, “I did smile back at you, you just couldn’t see it behind the mask.”An indescribable feeling of human solidarity washed over me like the comfort of a cool ocean wave.I replied to her, “Don’t worry, I saw the smile in your eyes.”Then we both went our separate ways.There have been many moments of human connection during these trying times, but this one impacted me the most. People going out of their way to let other people know, even subtly, that we’re in this together.Every single one of us is experiencing this crisis differently and we can’t pretend to know how each other is getting by. I don’t know if that woman is struggling just as she doesn’t know my current struggles.If we consciously make the effort to assume each of us are str

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uggling, a small gesture can make all the difference.It goes without saying that this should apply to normal life and regular times, but it’s even more essential right now.Stress affects us all differently. Some of us hole up and some of us reach out. I’ve been on the receiving end of subtle hostility because I haven’t reached out.Those people can’t know my situation because they don’t live in my shoes, so they just see it as me not caring. I see it as, I’m doing the best I can. We’re all doing the best we can.Don’t assume someone doesn’t care just because they’re not handling it the way you would.Just make the effort to be kind and acknowledge every person you come into contact with, even if they’re six feet away or on the other side of a screen.That’s my only message today.If you enjoyed this story, here’s my non-intrusive way of ushering you <a href="https://writtenbykristi.substack.com/">toward my newsletter</a>. When you subscribe, I’ll know you’re cool with hearing from me once in a while.</article></body>

People Are Still Smiling, You Just Can’t See It

The moments behind the masks

A most profound thing happened the other day and it was one of the brightest moments I’ve experienced since lockdown began.

These are the moments we need to notice and hold on tight to. It’s what will get us through, together.

I don’t own a protective mask yet, although my mom has been sewing some cute ones since yesterday. I’ll go pick one up from her house later.

I have serious reservations about going to Walmart lately, or anywhere for that matter. No one should have to put themselves into harms way just to buy food. But I need to eat, therefore I shop.

Walking down one of the aisles I saw a masked woman approaching me from the other direction. I decided to make the move and step out of her way to create as much distance as I could.

I smiled at her when she passed and she acknowledged me by nodding her head.

A few moments after she passed by, she went out of her way to come back to me and say, “I did smile back at you, you just couldn’t see it behind the mask.”

An indescribable feeling of human solidarity washed over me like the comfort of a cool ocean wave.

I replied to her, “Don’t worry, I saw the smile in your eyes.”

Then we both went our separate ways.

There have been many moments of human connection during these trying times, but this one impacted me the most. People going out of their way to let other people know, even subtly, that we’re in this together.

Every single one of us is experiencing this crisis differently and we can’t pretend to know how each other is getting by. I don’t know if that woman is struggling just as she doesn’t know my current struggles.

If we consciously make the effort to assume each of us are struggling, a small gesture can make all the difference.

It goes without saying that this should apply to normal life and regular times, but it’s even more essential right now.

Stress affects us all differently. Some of us hole up and some of us reach out. I’ve been on the receiving end of subtle hostility because I haven’t reached out.

Those people can’t know my situation because they don’t live in my shoes, so they just see it as me not caring. I see it as, I’m doing the best I can. We’re all doing the best we can.

Don’t assume someone doesn’t care just because they’re not handling it the way you would.

Just make the effort to be kind and acknowledge every person you come into contact with, even if they’re six feet away or on the other side of a screen.

That’s my only message today.

If you enjoyed this story, here’s my non-intrusive way of ushering you toward my newsletter. When you subscribe, I’ll know you’re cool with hearing from me once in a while.