Masks can be used to hide our own personality and project an entirely different one.  Those are the imaginary masks we use to create a character in acting. Artificial masks can be purchased for just about any occasion.  Masks have been used down through history to hide, to recreate, to reenact, to entertain and to frighten.

When I was twenty one, I was in the planning stages of my wedding.  I was just beginning a new adventure in life. I’d be loosening the apron strings of my youth and forging ahead to a freedom I’d never known.  I wash working as a cashier for a loan company. Large sums of cash were not usually on hand as things were generally handled by check.

That didn’t deter the two armed thieves that entered our office that dreary, grey afternoon. They both wore ski masks and brandished firearms, demanding that I open the cash drawer and give them all the money.

In that brief moment, my life flashed before me. It was like watching a re-run of my short existence being played in slow motion. I struggled to open the cash drawer, but for some reason, the key wasn’t working. One of the men grabbed it from me and told me to lay down on the floor with the other two women in the office.

It was a terrifying experience, but it didn’t end there.  I was called on to view a lineup at the police station.  Of course, identifying masked men, was impossible. Obviously, by the grace of God, I was spared and lived to share this story with you.

We’re all used to seeing masks on doctors, nurses and other health care providers.  Thieves are usually masked and even some heroic super heroes wear them.  Zorro, Batman, The Lone Ranger, Cat Woman, etc.  I never understood why the Chinese were often pictured wearing masks as they came and went about their daily business.  I now realize the environment they live in requires it.  I never dreamed we would follow suit some day.

Today there is a need to cover up, not only for our own protection, but for those we come in contact with, because of this pandemic. We’re masking ourselves to fight an invisible enemy which is causing the death of many.

Death seems to be at our doorstep.  It will come to all of us in one way or another.  Eventually the “grim reaper” will visit and our bodies will return to dust.  If there is one thing we can learn from this epic event, I pray that we will realize the necessity we have for human interaction.  We’re not meant to be alone.  When the masks come off and the pandemic ends, let’s rejoice together that we endured it.  Let’s thank God for getting us through it.  Let’s never forget.  Let’s use the lessons we’ve learned for the benefit of each other.