Hey all… how are you doing?

It’s the question I ask once a day on my Facebook page in one form or another. What started as a way to connect with others in this time of self isolation has morphed into a virtual town hall, and regularly draws 100-150 respondents.

It’s just another sign of how our lives have changed in this viral age.

When I was a kid, Iw as a true introvert. I would hide behind my mother’s skirts (or jeans – she was (and is) a liberated woman. I was shy to the extreme, and ever comfortable in my own skin.

But somewhere along the way, I pushed through it and forced myself to become more extroverted. Over time, it became more natural, and while I’ll never be a gited public speaker, I can hold my own in a public space.

That said, my introverted side is perfectly happy behind a computer screen, writing or working, and I spend an unhealthy amount of time there. So this whole lockdown thing should be a piece of cake. A fantastic opportunity, even, to do what I love without guilt.

And yet.

I miss my life. I miss going out every Tuesday to Italian class, with a stop for breakfast at Bella Bru (OMG, those chocolate-chocolate chip muffins) and at Starbucks for lunch (I  would kill for a mint-java-chip Frappucino).

I miss our walks. We’re scared stiff about airborne transmission, and until they know more, we’re staying inside.

But most of all, I miss people.

Our neighbor came by to drop off some groceries the other day. We kept the required 6 feet of distance, but I felt almost drunk as I took in the sight of another person who is not Mark.

I’m not the only one. Everyone I know feels this way.

And so we look for ways to connect. We replace in-person meetings with zoom. We watch virtual newscasts from the anchors’ homes, virtual Saturday Night Live, and virtual plays and concerts on our TV.

And we drink in those few precious moments of one-on-one human contact.

This too, shall pass. But not soon.

So here’s my gift to you today.

Close your eyes. Wrap your arms around yourself and squeeze tight. And visualize getting a huge hug form someone you miss the most. If you are touch-averse, try to hear their laugh, see their smile.

Then pick up the phone and call them, or text them, or Skype or Facetime or Zoom or fax or SMS or FB message – whatever you have. Check in, and tell them how much you miss them.

We all need a little connection.