I just came back from a chat with some neighbors who live in the building next door. I miss them and text messages are not the same as seeing their smiling faces. Lee has grown a beard. Who knew?

Friends and family have always been important to me but now they are a critical touchpoint to my life. The 1988 song lyrics, “You don’t know what you got til it’s gone,” has become my daily mantra, and I’m determined to make “Connections” a focus of each day.

My morning starts with a check for messages and emails. My gal-pal Dale, an early riser, usually sends a funny/sweet/informative message. A great way to begin the day and typically a good “share” to greet my other pals in the morning – not all are early risers. One of my favorite shares is the “One More Day” family chorus on YouTube. I’m sure you’ve already fallen in love with these kids – and their parents – but they’re worth another look. It’s the Marsh family from the UK. https://youtu.be/Nf4XxnL4lPk (Skip the ads)

Reach Out But DON’T Touch

Next is the Reaching Out – an email to check-in to make sure everyone is okay and a plea for a good story or some gossip. With sports gone, the young-uns have no video of the latest volleyball game or softball match or the dance recital or…. But then there’s puzzles and Lego achievements. And, of course, there’s the text message streams that become floods of useless but entertaining ramblings.

All of this is still impersonal and flat. I NEED to hear my friends voices. Obviously, Sophie and Bodhi (my dogs), are not good at conversation – but I think I’ve complained about this before. I have to have at least one or two phone conversations every day. I need to hear if you sound perky or pale. If you are surmounting or just surviving. I need to laugh with you or cry or be amazed or whisper or shout. Then I feel I’ve made a good connection. However, if you’re thinking of calling – I don’t do FaceTime without an advance appointment. My Isolation Look is really frightening – no make-up or hair neatly arranged. If I’m lucky, I’ve brushed my teeth so there shouldn’t be any spinach left from the last meal.

For me, the best Connection is the Personal Chat Time on the sidewalk or in the street or in the buggy grass, or for us very fortunate Floridians, a pool-time visit. I want to see how your hair is doing – and what you’re doing with the roots. I want to see your husband’s new beard. I want to see that you look healthy and frustrated but happy, No matter where we meet, we are always socially distant respecting the six-foot requirement. Which explains why folks are casually standing in the middle of our road chatting with a friend on the sidewalk. If the Corona doesn’t get us, the next SUV might!

What are your best Connection points? How do you keep close to those who are emotionally close to you but physically distant? Share your best Connections!