Connected.

We are only separated by space.
                Dietrich Bonhoeffer

My sister moved to Washington state when she was 22 years old and had just graduated college. While she loved the great North West with her whole heart, she felt disconnected and had a really hard time. She missed her family. To comfort her, my mom shared a story about a man named Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He was a German man and Lutheran pastor who lived during World War II. He was an anti-Nazi dissident and was involved in many efforts in rescuing Jewish people and transporting them to safety. Merely speaking his words against the Nazi regime was danger enough, and he was soon captured and placed into a train headed to a concentration camp.  

His mother, whom he was very close with, came to the train station before it departed. She was distraught. To comfort her, Dietrich called out the words, “We are only separated by space.” ​​

I’ve revisited these words and this story many times. Again when my mom moved away. And yet again, when I left Utah to live where I am now in Georgia. 

Now, here we are. I feel these words are more important than ever. Our whole world is dealing with the suffering, confusion and chaos of COVID-19. I find myself on a roller coaster of emotion. Feeling disappointed that many of the endeavors I’ve planned and worked towards have either come to a screeching halt or are dissipating away. Feeling guilty that I am one of the lucky ones who gets to stay home and social distance while healthcare and social workers are on the front line. Feeling sad that I took for granted the simple pleasure of sharing a conversation and cup of tea with a friend. Feeling grateful to have a patio and the time to let the sun shine on my skin while I read books. Feeling well rested because I have nowhere to be, so there’s plenty of time for sleep. Feeling feeling feeling. I sometimes forget how useful feeling is.
 
This whole experience is important. It’ll be important in many ways. It’s important  because I’ve realized how many beautiful people I have in my life. Family members, friends, acquaintances, and strangers.. We are all connected. Even though I’m apart from my people, I feel their love and kindness. I’ve seen more smiling faces on my computer screen, on my walks, on my drives than I’ve noticed in a long time. 

I still feel a lot of things, fear being a big one. But I know that this is a shared fear, one that we don’t have to carry alone.