I don’t like wearing a mask. 

I don’t like not being able to see people’s expressions.  I don’t like people not being able to see my expressions. 

As I walked into the grocery store this morning, I tried to smile my thanks to someone.  But the mask blocks everything.

The kind woman who helped me find celery?  Foiled again:  she can’t see my face.

The couple we tried to pass politely?  A nod with the head has to suffice. 

Eventually, it hits me:  if all they can see of my face is my eyes, then I best start to communicate better with my eyes.

I took a few seconds more and started looking at people directly in their eyes, trying hard to convey sincerity.  

Remembering to connect with someone as a human?  A good silver lining for today!