Staying in touch with faraway friends or relatives is like dancing—you have to make the effort, perform the steps, and keep the beat if you want it to be worthwhile. I’ve noticed a syndrome that can happen all too easily—we fall out of touch for a time, sitting out this dance, then the next, falling out of rhythm, out of practice…then we start to feel embarrassed to begin again; we fear awkwardness, having to remember the steps and get back in sync…so more time passes by. We begin to think we owe our loved ones that wonderful, long letter we’ve been meaning to write, full of rich, loving detail, that will catch them up on all our news and inquire about theirs…but things keep happening and the news-not-reported piles up and up, until finally the thought of that unwritten letter—how dauntingly long it has become in our imagination!—fills us with guilt. But really, all that is needed is a few words, a “Hi, I love you, I miss you!” Just a little, momentary waltz, enough to remind each other of your rhythm and beat, touching hands, shoulders, eyes meeting and smiling. Nothing long or elaborate is required. So, on behalf of everyone in this predicament, I call amnesty: drop that feeling of guilt and indebtedness, and just say hello. Remind them you love them. Step out onto the floor, a moment is all it takes…and this moment is all we have.
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