I took the photo from the Dovetail Custom Builders website, but it's a photo of the barn doors on the cabin Dovetail built for us. If you want to see what's behind the doors, you have a couple choices. Right now, you could check out their website, clicking the link for the Bristol. (If you know Lakeville and read the copy on that site, you might get a kick out of the fact that we use the cabin to "escape from the noise of city life.") The other way you could see what's behind the doors is to wait until the world spins on a normal axis again, and come visit us sometime when we're there. I hope that's not as long from now as it seems.
In any case, the real subject of this post is both literal doors and metaphorical ones. I was walking behind someone on campus the other day, and when she got to the door we were both entering, she held it open, waiting for me. In general, she certainly did the polite thing, but in 2020 terms, I couldn't help thinking about the fact that I now had to come into close proximity with her. In this world today, is it considerate or rude to hold a door? I'm going to say it's still polite, but I can see the other answer.
But then I was thinking about metaphorical doors. English teachers often look at literature in two categories, mirrors and windows/doors. If I give a student a book that reflects his/her/their experiences in life, I'm giving that child a mirror. A mirror acknowledges and affirms his/her/their experiences. Of course, different students see different literature as mirrors.
A book that serves as a window or door opens up the student's mind to see a new set of experiences. We learn empathy by entering others' worlds and experiencing their points of view.
As humans of all ages, we need both mirrors and doors. We need to know that we're not alone in the world, but also that our views aren't the only ones possible. As an educator, I see my job as providing both and giving students lenses through which to understand the views of themselves and others.
Let's open some doors for each other. What books have you read that have provided mirrors? Doors? Please put any great suggestions into the comments.
This is a beautiful post. I have also noticed people holding doors for me in 2020, and for the first time I have hesitated before holding doors for others. I’ve felt awkward needing to pass so close to someone but also relieved not to have to touch the door. So this post is a mirror for me, as it confirms someone else is re-seeing the same everyday gesture in new terms this year!
Dear V,
I don’t know how I failed to respond to this lovely comment. As we now emerge from 2020 (twelve days, but who’s counting? I am. That’s who.), I think about how many things I view in new ways. Mostly, I’m trying to focus on what aspects of 2020 have made me feel more gratitude. There are many, but it’s taking work to adjust the lens to see them and filter out the less positive aspects.
well said, both Viveca and Carita.
Thanks, JKG and VG! Yes, this year brings up questions we never thought to ask before.
I love this post! Also definitely think people should wave/shrug to show the *impulse* to hold the door, then let it slam in my face #2020
I could never let a door slam in your face…but could do that for someone I don’t know and miss!