When I was much much younger and shorter, the kids in the neighborhood and I would sometimes ring each other's doorbell and run. Ring and run, popular in the 50's. That game was harmless, risk free, and popular.
We're learning many new ways of doing things, that, a month ago were simple, everyday habits.
Something as simple as sharing a hug (I'm a big hugger), was an act that was harmless, risk free, and a popular way of making human connections. Suddenly, I'm seeing chicken wing elbow- touching going on all around me- minus the clucking. As one who recently experienced the loss and rebuild of an elbow, and other body part replacements, there was no way in heck I was buying into that!
I work for someone who is a big hugger as well. He communicates calm and Godly essence in his Sunday hugs. I watched him greet someone recently with that chicken winging contact, and I wondered how that worked on Sundays? Those pastorly robes hide arms and elbows, how do you aim right to the next congregant's elbow -in line? A hug offers a more forgiving target area. Low people, high folks, round or slim, if you dive in with both arms, your likely to get enough to hold onto, and chances of success are greater than the narrow arrow of said elbows. Then, just as you grow accustomed to some new weird way of doing something, group activities of all sorts sink into the dark abyss of isolated closure.
I made up my own pandemic hug, and although it isn't close to a real contact hug, I have found that it works well for me and those I have shared it with. Okay-Face friend with the distance of a football field between you. Make a mental note of where the receiver is, and put your binoculars down gently. Try not to lose distant eye contact when you release them to the ground. Now both arms go big and round as if you were going to hug a panda bear and...... linger. keep eye contact. Linger. keep it.linger. gentle air pat annnnnnd release. There. Something about the lingering makes it work for me. The hug runs on intention. Lingering is not easy for some because it causes them to hesitate, reflect, slow down. Maybe we could use some more of that right now.
Getting packages or mail at the front door is a new sport! When I see the UPS truck pull up, it's gloves on, mask at the ready to Toss and catch. Delivered groceries or food is Drop and go. Approach door with lysol in hand and spray as you open the door to retrieve.
The thing is, we don't know if any of these new ways are harmless or risk free, and as for popular? Well, nobody I've seen looks like they are enjoying these new ways, but what else is there to do when you are fighting an invisible villain? Dream of lingering hugs to come, I guess. Put one in a card and send it to a friend, text it or email a reallllly long hug to someone you care about. That will have to do until contact comes back to us. If you say, "Well what the dickens am I supposed to put in a card or text that is a hug? What do you mean, church chick?" I would say to those peops, think about how you feel when someone is giving you a hug and put that in a card or text. For me it might be, I'm glad you are there, I'm glad you are my friend. Let's stick together, or stay in touch. Slow down and think about that and see what works for you. or not. Final warning, friends-When hugs are back, look out because I'm coming for you.
No comments:
Post a Comment