Social Distancing

😷
“Social distancing.”
A phrase I had never heard of until COVID-19.

Jason could make friends with someone while waiting at the corner for the light to turn green.
He was chatty and inquisitive and truly interested in you.
He cared about getting to know you. Connecting with you.

Since he died, I’ve heard hundreds of stories from people about how Jason noticed you as an individual.
He spent time with you one-on-one.
He helped you see a new perspective.
He reminded you how to be grateful.
He told a funny joke or an impactful story.
He asked you a question.
He helped you feel like you could conquer the world.
He was your friend.

He was a collector of people.
Enjoying small talk that often turned into much more than that.
I like people, too but never at Jason’s level of expertise. I’ve had to learn this skill. Deliberately try to become better at it.
As Jason was making friends with the cashier, the flight attendant, the receptionist, the line at the bank and the guy getting gas on the lane next to us...I was probably reading my book - or wishing I could be!📚

Jason connected naturally and whole-heartedly.
Coleman got that quality.
And as soon as it began to manifest itself in him, I was overjoyed! I knew how much this characteristic would help him in life. Would enable him to move forward. Would boost his ability to serve others.
Because I saw it in his Dad.

It’s one of Jason’s superpowers.

Social distancing.
Absolutely necessary right now to “flatten the curve.”
It’s important to be responsible citizens during this world-wide season of hand sanitizer, event cancelations, self-quarantines and standing six-feet away from one another.
Totally necessary for a time.

We often learn things in times like this.
We have to adjust and adapt and try something different than we were doing before. It often makes us better.
I like that.

Social distancing is teaching me things.
Because I am missing the human connection, I remember just how much I love it.
A hug, a handshake, a touch of compassion.
Looking someone in the eye. Standing in their light. Nearness.
And even those Jason-style conversations with a stranger. The ones I avoided.
I miss those, too.
Looking forward to getting them back.✊🏻💙