When this is over, we will emerge
changed in many ways, and our language will not be immune. Perhaps “pre-pan”
and “post-pan” will enter the lexicon. Or “pre-covid” and “post-covid.”
Already we have additions to
Merriam-Webster, “social distancing” and “self-quarantine” among them. But the
terms, though necessary, do little to console.
So let’s dig into that vast trove
of English words and phrases and find something comforting we can use right now.
One that sounds right to me is like a balm. “Balm?” you’re
probably thinking. “Isn’t that something you rub on your lips?”
Well, yes. It’s any healing
ointment, actually, and usually fragrant. Something soothing, in other words.
It harks back to the Latin balsamum, which gave us the aromatic balsam.
Why balm works
The beauty of balm is that
it’s linked to the physical, to touch. And reassuring touches are what we crave
right now, as we don’t hug, huddle, gather or otherwise affirm one another’s
physical presence. Solace is soothing, too, as it seeks to console us,
but not in a physical sense.
Like a balm floated into my consciousness recently as I read
one of the emails from Books & Books. Owner Mitchell Kaplan and his dedicated team have taken their physical spaces—the
various Books & Books venues in Miami—and turned them into a devoted
community of readers.
At the moment, those physical
spaces are closed. But the messages that Books & Books is sending customers
are like a balm. Here’s part of the one I received on Friday…
None
of us knows what the future will bring, but we know we have a shared community
that is planning to emerge from these dark times into a brighter day. Stay calm
and read on. We will meet in that land that readers inhabit. It's a safe space,
a life-giving space, a space unlike any other. We all know it and now take
shelter there -- together.
Beautiful, don’t you think?
And there are other things that act
like a balm right now. One, for me, was reconnecting with a friend from so long
ago it seems like yesterday. Another has been the emails and texts and phone
calls (phone calls!) checking in with relatives and friends and
colleagues.
The lovely watercolor you see here
is by Renee Reese. She shared it with her friend Andrea, a dear
friend who shared it with me. The daffodils offer solace. The fact that my friend
took the time to virtually share them with me is like a balm.
The philosopher Joseph Campbell encouraged
us to follow our bliss. That may be too distant at this particular moment. But I
hope you’re finding those special, small gestures and kindnesses right now that
act like a balm.
