Living for one another

Afew steps behind the death and economic mayhem global pandemic causes are a million smaller sadnesses. Weddings, canceled. Milestone birthdays, retirement parties, graduations, senior years, school trips, undone. These are losses no amount of economic stimulus can bring back.

Sacrifices like these, of the events and moments that form the best parts of our lives, are happening all across the world. In some places, funerals, where we seek the physical embrace of our loved ones for solace, are forbidden.

We are being told to stay six feet from each other, to stay home, not to visit friends, elderly parents, grandchildren. We are losing, for no one knows just how long, the thing that makes so much of what’s hard about human existence meaningful and memorable: connection with others.

While understanding that there’s no replacement for the physical presence of others, let’s find pleasure in what we do have: Grandparents and grandchildren can video chat. Entire classrooms of kids can gather online.

Think now about those you know with few family or friends, or those isolated and unable to connect with loved ones. Even if this is no time to knock on a door and bring a lasagna, call them to check in.

There will be a tomorrow, a time when we can go to a restaurant, go to the bars, hug each other. A time is coming to rebuild what’s been broken. We don’t know where the tunnel ends, but we know there’s light at the end of it.