It doesn't take much

5 years ago

It doesn't take much to brighten my day. This morning I went to Walmart in the small town near me. I happened to run into someone I had gone to school with. We had a nice conversation (both masked standing a distance apart) catching up on our lives now.

Most days I don't see or talk to anyone except my son who lives with me; those conversations are brief and he works a lot of hours. All day my mood has been lighter due to a little human contact. Hopefully this isolation will end someday.

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joyfulguy

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Though I've lived alone for years, I've largely claimed not to be lonely.

But in recent months I have missed the few contacts that I have had.

Sometimes I've smiled at, and occasionally spoken to, people that I meet in stores, or on the street, usually if we've been close for a short time, e.g. lined up prior to checkout.

I think that I've done more of it recently.

Often I try to make it a bit hunorous, especially in these stressful times.

I've told this here before, but recently when near a lineup approaching checkout in a conenience store, I asked, in a somewhat louder than conversational voice, "Do you know one of the nice things about masks that no one has ever told you about"?

Someone asked "No, what is it"?

"Nobody can see the wrinkles!" from me.

There were a few smiles and some laughter.

I've used it on several occasions since, usually causing smiles and often some laughter.

I think that it's somewhat more attactive to females of a certain age.

A few days ago, while I was bagging my groceries after checkout, a lady came back to thank me.

Sometimes some discussion takes place, and many agree that some humour really helps reduce the tensiom in these stressful days.

ole joyful

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Comments (13)

honibaker
5 years ago
How nice for you! Human contact really does matter, doesn't it? I live alone, and

feel the same happiness when I run into my dog-walking friends while walking in

my neighborhood. I don't have a dog, but carry treats for my next door neighbor,

and have unintentionally met many other dogs, and their owners, that way.
Rose Pekelnicky thanked honibaker
joann_fl
5 years ago
How nice! I hope you have more days like today.
Rose Pekelnicky thanked joann_fl
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lisaam
5 years ago
Yes! The opportunities to talk to friends are more rare now and mean a lot when you can. I'm glad that it was a happy day for you Rose.
Rose Pekelnicky thanked lisaam
morz8 - Washington Coast
5 years ago
Rose, Yes, the isolation is going to end. Please just be patient a little longer, there are many bright days in your future.

I'm glad you had a good day. I did the same a few weeks ago, I unexpectedly ran into a (close) friend and her husband in the drugstore. I was so surprised to see her, automatically hugged her! I know, shame on me - but she did hug back. I startled both of us but we've talked about once a week all year and she knew we had been as careful about socialization as they have been, each others habits. It was OK, but I did apologize.
Rose Pekelnicky thanked morz8 - Washington Coast
salonva
5 years ago
I am hearing so many stories like this. I do find that people are so much more receptive to the small talk and pleasantries nowadays.

We often go for long walks on trails with our dog, and while we are not having warm cozy conversations with those we run across while walking, there is more polite and cheery talk than what used to be.

I think we are all so hungry for social interaction and when we happen on it, it's that much sweeter.
Rose Pekelnicky thanked salonva
matthias_lang
5 years ago
I just read this thread, then hit the back button. As I did, I realized I was smiling. So I came back to say that y'all seem to have made me happy this evening. Thank you. :-)
Rose Pekelnicky thanked matthias_lang
joyfulguy
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Thank you choosing to, then making that extra bit of effort to come back to express your appreciation, matthias.

Hope you and yours have a great week, much more interesting, inspiring and fun than usual.

ole joyful
Rose Pekelnicky thanked joyfulguy
hallngarden
5 years ago
What I notice now is when I laugh out loud or smile about something. This forum has kept my mind thinking for months now . Been here for years , but noticed some of your funnies would bring a smile to my face , or laugh out loud more than usual. That has been a very good thing for me. Our interaction just on this forum is great medicine for us. Even just sharing thoughts on our days, bad or good. After I read my bible in the mornings , I start here to see how you all’s days are starting. You all are helping each other make it thru these tough times. So please keep on keeping on. One thing that stands out is your caring for folks that most likely you will never see in person.
Rose Pekelnicky thanked hallngarden
amylou321
5 years ago
I'm happy you had a good day. I can somewhat relate in that it does not take much to make my day. But my days are made better by other things that don't involve interaction with people. For example, seeing the first Christmas bric-a-brac in stores,getting my tree, the hot light at Krispy Kreme, finding a new pink item to grace my kitchen (just received my new grater set and pie serving set whoop whoop!) Stuff like that.

Maybe because I haven't stopped working, and am still meeting and interacting with lots and lots of different people from everywhere, its not a novelty to me. The last time an interaction with a human made my day is when my 10 year old niece texted me, "When I grow up I want to be weird like you!" 😄
Rose Pekelnicky thanked amylou321
Annie Deighnaugh
5 years ago
I really think one of the biggest missteps in this pandemic is calling it "social" distancing since it's not. It's just "physical" distancing. We just can't breathe each others' air. But there's no reason we can't communicate, see each other, (so long as it's at a distance and outside) and spend time together. And thank goodness we have all this technology to help us do this. Frankly with all the things cancelled, I find my friends and I have *more* time to spend with each other as there are fewer demands on us and fewer distractions.

I was talking to a woman at the gym the other day who insisted that this simply wasn't living. I felt so badly for her as this very much *is* living and we won't ever get these days back. We take what we are given and do what we can to make the most of it...as always. That is life. Always has been, always will be.
Rose Pekelnicky thanked Annie Deighnaugh
User
5 years ago
I'm glad you ran into an old friend. I'm glad it cheered you up and brightened your day!

We have to live each day to it's fullest....no matter what life has thrown at us. Easier said than done.
Rose Pekelnicky thanked User
dedtired
5 years ago
I had a similar experience on Sunday. I went out for a walk around “town” and ran into several people I had not seen in awhile. A walk that should have taken 20 minutes lasted an hour and a half. I felt so much better after those long chats.
Rose Pekelnicky thanked dedtired

It doesn't take much

joyfulguy

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