“To touch a person’s heart, you must see a person’s face. One cannot reach a soul through a telephone.”

~ My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok

The truth of this is striking to me as I think of how much of our life is lived through our smart phones. To sit side by side, face to face, truly is not only how we can touch a person’s heart but how we can allow them to touch ours.When we look into eyes during real conversation, we can see beyond the external to what is real, to what is essential.

This story takes place during World War II. The telephone referred to is a real telephone that required voice conversation. Text messaging would not have been dreamed of. Mail required real letters with envelopes and stamps. Even telegrams were not instantaneous.