People Problems III

I know someone who has difficulty seeing faces. She doesn’t reliably recognize people by their face, so she uses other cues like body language and voice.

This has a nifty side-effect… She’s always friendly when greeting and talking, because until she draws someone into conversation, she’s not quite sure who they are. They could be anyone, and wouldn’t it be terrible if she offended them

I don’t know what this is like, because I see faces perfectly. But I have a different problem.

I have difficulty seeing people.

Oh, I see roles just fine. Boss. Store clerk. Friend.
I’ve got no problems with personalities. Shy. Choleric. Outgoing. Reflective.
Interests and hobbies are a snap. Musician. Soccer nut. Book worm.

All too often, when it comes to the person behind these things, my vision goes blurry.

I don’t mean to pick on Adriano. I’ve pointed to him before. But I guess I point to him because he’s a person that I see. At least, I know there’s a person there. It sounds terrible to say it, but often this isn’t the case. I interact with roles, personalities and hobbyists and never even acknowledge the person behind them.

In the general hierarchy of people who are difficult to see, Adriano occupies a spot in the upper echelon. He’s a towering pedestal away. An icon, a figure, a larger-than-life painting whose words I never hear directly, but which only come through the the envoy of the press.

But somehow, he’s broken through to me.

It’s Good Friday today.

I think Jesus was only ever able to die for people because he was able to see people.

If he could see people… maybe I should give them a second look.

Peace be with you.