Much occurs when people meet. 

Within milliseconds the drawbridge – we each have one – may go down with a hearty welcome or remain up and sealed shut. 

There may be Immediate comfort or discomfort, or levels of both. 

Suspicions may be endorsed or deleted. 

Information and misinformation transmission occurs at a speedy rate. 

We read and misread and read and misread each other constantly – all within the backdrop of our unique experiences and training, our hurts, pains, goals, and desires – known and unknown.   

The accent (if one party is not from “here”) is loaded with meaning. Clothes (anything unusual); laid-back or dominant stance; voice tone, volume, intonations; levels of energy or lack thereof, are cumulatively processed. 

Triggers can be triggered. Stereotypes ignited. Warmth flows, or doesn’t. 

The wave, the handshake, the hug, smile or frown, degrees of sincerity or insincerity are downloaded by the “who-are-you” antenna and the “can I trust you” antenna issued to all at birth to be processed with the morass of stored history, experience, memories, good and bad. 

Every encounter is a miracle.

And, yes, with all that, we — you and I – are called to be neighbors and to love one another.