listening
How many ways are there to listen. Visiting with a friend the other day, we were talking of the pandemic and how in today’s world so many children are growing up seeing their grand parents only at a distance, My friend in particular has grandchildren that during this past year, she has had the pleasure of seeing only a few times in comparison to prior to the pandemic, the closures, shut downs, lock downs.. restrictions.
Got me to thinking. When I’ve been out I’ve watched the people around me, in the shopping areas, the parks, most of the time .. distance is being maintained. I have heard that in some areas that has not always been the case, but I’ve been lucky … places I’ve been … people are careful… they do their best to maintain a “social” distance.
As I visited with another friend through social media what came up was how the interaction between couples has also changed. This caught my attention because another friend and I had talked about just such a subject not that long ago. I am a digital photographer in a virtual world as those of you who follow me know, I am fortunate to have friends who will help me out when I want to express a visual feeling/emotion that presently in day to day life I cannot do. My friend agreed to sit with me for a moment in a pose that shows affection between a young couple. It was to be for another post (for me) on listening. His input was valuable to me… he said.. it is someone listening when his/her partner has come home from work, stressed, tired, and she/ he is attentive and not only listening but connecting with a warm embrace.
Living alone since my husband died, I of course had forgotten such a time. I learned from my friend about something I myself had forgotten. The intimate personal moments between a couple, that are about showing kindness, caring, and that special moment when one can BE together, in a moment of sharing. A moment that can erase and make a big difference in how the rest of the day will proceed.
My friend was gracious in giving of his time so I could capture a photo to share with you (my wonderful readers) I was fulfilling a task on my “get it done” list. But in those few moments, he opened my eyes to something that was dormant and gone from my life. That is what listening is all about, being present, so that each and every moment we live it is an experience.
We are living with restrictions, and we are being asked to maintain a distance, but I ask you all to not forgot the importance of touch, the meaning of a soft embrace, the holding of hands. Every where, we are being told keep away, stay away, don’t see people. But as a human being, we do need to experience and know love.. when you can and when its right, let someone you love, know.. you care. Find a way.
Today’s calendar -THE PAST LEADS TO NOW AND NOW LEADS TO THE FURTURE. LIFE IS AN ACCUMULATION OF MOMENTS, CHERISH EACH ONE.
