Editor's note: Former Chattanoogan Bill Brock recently wrote this to his family and friends.
This morning has been good for me, and I want to share some thoughts with you.
Actually, the last two or three days have led me to think deeply about what it means to us as individuals when we realize we may face a long ordeal as we try to address what has now become a pandemic. Everyone is working to find the best solution - a treatment, a vaccine, anything to stop this insane novel coronavirus.
Forgive me, but while we are looking for medical answers, there is more, much more, we need to keep in mind.
Over the past several days, a close friend faced a major health crisis, but we could not see him to give him support. We could not even see his wife to comfort her. Over the past several days, a grandchild suffered virtually a "panic" attack. We could not see her, touch her, hug her to assure her all will be well. How many times has this happened to families across this nation in the last few days?
There are too many people we cannot see or hug right now. We have been told to stay away (or at least 6 feet away) from everybody. Everybody? Whether family, friend or grocery clerk?
None of us likes that feeling, that sense of having to "stay away" from others, no matter who and where they might be.
I want to ask you to take a moment and think about what it means - to "keep our distance." Of course we all know this virus is highly contagious, so we know that for the moment we need to keep our distance, to keep the virus from exploding. Is that all? Is it going to continue?
None of us knows the answer, but one thing I do know. I do know how much I need to see, to be close to, or at least have a chance to visit with so many in our wonderful family, so many among our treasured friends, and even so many of those individuals we see in every walk of life, whether at the shop or the grocery store or the gas station - where we simply get a wave or a smile.
The thing that is so frustrating about this miserable experience is the separation - even isolation - imposed upon us. I don't like that, and I don't believe anybody else does.
The lesson for me: how much we truly need each other, how dearly we value our contact, how strongly we cherish our connection. Now, I know. I really know.
The truth is that life would be a living hell if each of us were nothing more than a cipher occupying a bit of space. Well, we're not ciphers; we are human beings with hearts and souls who need to be with others, to care, to give, to love. That is what is really important. That is what life is all about.
So do me a favor, my beloved family and friends. Pause, right now, and think about all of the people who add value to your life. Think about how much you miss having contact with them, how miserable life would be without them, and how good life is because you care about them. And express a prayer of gratitude for those carrying a big part of the burden - doctors, nurses, hospital technicians, police, firemen, delivery people, garbage collectors - and on and on. They are terrific.
And then, consider the fact there are countless men and women around the world whose government-imposed "isolation" or "social distancing" is causing them to realize how much they, too, need human contact and human relationships. That, to me, is very comforting. It means that however severe the current situation is, nothing can long keep us away from those we care about. As the marriage vow says, "till death us do part."
I feel such profound gratitude for so much goodness, decency, caring and love in every community in our country. I pray we will also take a quiet moment, especially now, to think about our neighbors, friends and families. Stay in touch - now, of course, but don't stop later. These are things that matter.
That's good enough for me. I pray, actually I know, it is for you as well.
Thank you for being you. We miss you.
Bill Brock served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and one term in the U.S. Senate, was U.S. trade representative and secretary of Labor.