Someone posted this on Facebook today, and it touched me so deeply I want to share. It is so easy to connect with people by any means that say “I see you.” A compliment. Remembering a name Eye contact. Remembering a detail from the last conversation we had. Noticing a change in hair, a color that flatters, an extra sparkle in the eye or wrinkle in the brow.
Right now I am working on eliciting a smile from a particular person who works on the ship. A smile may be out of the question culturally, and I can see he is very intent on his job, so it is a challenge. Yesterday I got a little wave from across the room. Success! On his terms, if not mine. I say “I see you” by smiling and calling him by name. His wave says “I see you back.”And as this poet says, these fleeting moments are what we have of if not the holy, at least a kind of grace. Thank you for seeing me by reading this.