Page 7 - February 2021 Voices

Practice Compassion

Elizabeth Spitzer, EC1

I observe Stephanie sitting on the couch, phone in her
hand, taking her index finger and scrolling up and up
and up. . . In front of her sits her youngest child, Alexa,

on the floor. Alexa decides that she is thirsty and hands
her empty cup to Stephanie, who acknowledges it with
a half-attentive question, “What is it that you need,

sweetie?” “Drink,” replies Alexa. “Hmmm, okay. . . just
a minute. . .“ Alexa feeling heard sits back down and
continues to play.
More than twenty minutes go by, Stephanie is still
scrolling the phone. “Drink,” reminds Alexa. “What?”

Stephanie asks somewhat startled. “Drink please,”
Alexa encourages. “Oh yes, just a sec. . . “ Alexa looks
at Stephanie sitting on the couch, phone in hand, focus

and anxiety written across her face. Alexa decides to
take a different approach. She picks up her cup and
comes to me, “Drink?”
As you read that, what did you think? What feelings
did you have? Where did your mind go?

That scene, without knowing the context, is easy
to judge, isn’t it? What would change if I told you that
Stephanie experiences high anxiety and that she was

feeling incredible stress about COVID, social distancing,

VOICES! | FEBRUARY 2021 7