Travis Dockery
Columnist
There’s nothing like 12 hours on the interstate to cause you to reflect on life. I found that to be the case last Saturday as I navigated from Michigan back to our beloved tri-state area.
While working my way through the pack of fellow commuters, I noticed a car in my rearview following in my tire tracks and mirroring my lane changes.
This went on for more than 20 miles until my newfound shadow decided to spread his wings and make his own moves. As he proceeded to pass me, I noticed his tag proudly proclaiming him as a citizen of the “Peach State.”
I had to grin. It made sense now. He found a fellow Georgian in the foreign land of Indiana and hitched to my wagon.
As he disappeared into the mass of metal ahead of me, I started thinking about how we cling to what is familiar. It comforts us and gives us a sense of security.
For the last year and a half, we’ve lost the feeling of familiarity. The events of 2020 seem to have burned the bridge that connected to things we were sure of before.
When COVID-19 first became the dominant topic of all conversations, the fear of the unknown directed us down a path. One day we would hear one thing about the virus and the next day, the opposite was offered to us.
That produced confusion and distrust that has lingered far longer than lockdowns and mask mandates. At first it was aimed at news outlets, but now it’s pointed at each other.
I might be aging myself here, but I can remember a time when you assumed the best of everyone until they gave you evidence to sway your thoughts. Now, we immediately form a preconceived notion of untrustworthy.
I can actually recall when face masks or a lack thereof wasn’t a political statement. Crazier still, folks didn’t ask my medical history before deciding if they liked me or not.
While the long-term affects of the virus itself may not be known for several years, its side effect on our society is becoming clearer by the day.
We are supposed to have each other’s lives in our best interest yet we seem to only be focused on one aspect of that.
The next time you see a lady without a mask, remind yourself she might have just been let go from a job she’s had for 20 years.
Or maybe the guy you criticize for getting a shot did so because he lost three family members to the virus.
Things are complicated enough. Let’s all try to find what’s familiar and cling to it.