We need the return of ‘the personal.’ Currently, the personal is starving for expression. People of all ages are being confronted with suicide, overdoses of medicine or other drugs, addictions, loneliness, shootings, anger and rage. One remedy is personal communication, noticing other people who are hurting, staying in touch by literally being with people, visiting them in personal contact.

I endured a period of time when my brother and I were four or five states away; we had not communicated in ten years. To me, it felt terrible, as if I was in another land. I missed his actual presence, seeing his eyes twinkle, hearing his voice, his views and having the live experience of hugging him, knowing he is alive and well.

Certainly, No other mode of communication other than personally being with him could have given me the peace and benefit of hearing him laugh and go on and on with his chatter, so happy to have loved ones in his presence and listening intently.

Let’s remind and encourage each other to stay personal and be in the same space face to face with people and share our hearts, our decisions, fears and triumphs. We need people and personal contact.

We come alive and feel someone cared with them standing or sitting side by side. That personal connection will not be replaceable. Something about another reaching out holding our hand when we are trembling, sitting with us when we need comfort and calm.

Give someone, a neighbor, friend, relative, stranger your friendly recognition that they matter and you see them eye to eye and in their presence. Humanly we each have a need for intimacy, nearness and congenial communication.

Some things such as visiting and taking time for one another will not go out of vogue or style. Let’s enjoy one another’s actual presence. And, if you choose to write something to them, surprise the recipient with your presence, hand it to them, personally.