My wife and I went to the store this morning during the "special" hours laid out for seniors. As one might expect, the aisles for toilet paper and paper towels were bare. It was incredible to note what had become as precious as gold and what had become as common as dirt.
But, what bothered me most was the attitude of my senior "peeps." We who have endured some things - Vietnam, natural disasters, 9-11 and others - were scurrying around like frightened mice. There was nary a smile to be seen in the store. You couldn't make eye contact until you were rammed by another's cart. I wanted to shout, "I'm six-feet away; how about a smile!"
I finally joked with the clerk as we checked out. He had his own restrictions in bagging our food so we kidded him that we'd send him the bill. We finally got a chuckle.
I realize this might be my own reaction to the invisible, but ever-present pressure we all face. I am thankful when I get a wave from a neighbor who is out for a walk or a head nod from a person driving down the street. It lifts the weight of feeling alone in all of this.
