See what I mean?

I am the youngest of five and am the baby of the family by a seven-year spread on the youngest of my older siblings. Our house was a noisy affair with a lot of activity. Yet, amidst all the noise and words and energy one could always find a quiet space; what Virginia Wolfe would call that all-important “room of one’s own.”

I’m not sure how my parents pulled off this little domestic miracle, yet, a large farm-style house with magnificent front and back porches and set upon several acres aided greatly to the gift of one’s own space.

The mixture of raucousness and quiet spaces helped to shape me as one who enjoys a good party and one who needs silent spaces and time apart; as one who loves nothing more than a table filled with family and friends, good food and loud conversation and one who likes libraries and has no problem going to a movie by herself.

I share this because of a recent article in the New York Times (see Special Olympics and the Burden of Happiness by Lawrence Downes) that speaks of the isolation that impacts persons with disabilities and is the norm more than the boisterous cheers and hugs being experienced at the World Special Olympics which concluded yesterday with the closing ceremony.

Isolation impacts one’s health and well-being. For many persons with disabilities and seniors, being “shut in” (sadly, still the preferred reference point for congregations) is more than just loneliness it is the bearing being apart from others and one’s community has upon an individual. Barbara Streisand aside, it’s not just the lucky ones who need people --- we all need each other.

In AVATAR instead of saying, “I love you,” they said, “I see you.” How perfect. I see you as a unique individual. I acknowledge your self-worth. You are not to be easily labeled or categorized or institutionalized. You are. You matter. I see you.

Imagine the impact if we unplugged, moved our eyes from whatever mobile devices and actually made eye contact, acknowledged one another --- each one --- everyone --- all the others.

When I worked in Washington, DC I was in a ministry group that took on as our action being in ministry with persons who are homeless. (NOTE: For every group, please use person first knowledge. One is more than one’s housing situation or bank account or ability….thanks, mini sermonette concluded). As we got to know Jay and Jonathan and Daniel they said the toughest thing for them was when persons would cross by on the other side of the street or look away or fail to simply acknowledge…to see them as a person.

It’s true we all need folks in our corners and our own support network who cheer for us and chant our names, yet, before that we each need to be seen and acknowledged as an important part of our shared community.

Who did you see today?
sj;