Maddie Jergensen*—Artist
I AM HERE!
The Zulu word Sawubona is a common greeting in South Africa. It means, “I see you,” to which the other person responds, “I am here.”
Truly seeing others is a basic form of respect, as revealed in the word’s Latin origin, respicere, which means simply ‘to see clearly.’ When we see, we respect. When we really see another, we see their humanity—our common humanity—and we sense our mutual vulnerability.
When we really see people, we can no longer treat them indifferently or inhumanely. We see who they are and feel compassion. Real seeing brings light, and inspires and empowers both seer and seen. Stephen Murphy-Shigematsu, Lion’s Roar
Imagine seeing a friend on the street and saying, “I see you.” Their initial response might be to look back over their shoulder to see who you’re talking to. Or worse, they might think you caught them doing something they shouldn’t be doing. So, in America, this greeting might be seen as insincere, even questionable.
I’m thinking Substack is a great starting place. Many of us are struggling to be seen in this crowded space with celebrities and famous writers so maybe we could start a Substack Greeting on Notes using the words “I See You.”
What could we also include as to not have this gesture be hollow? Do you have any ideas? Let me know in the COMMENTS what you think of the idea of this greeting and how you see it working/not working.
Perfect Teeth (I See You)
“The first thing men look at is your teeth,” advised my mother when I was twelve.
My smile became the frame for the perfect daughter who would become the perfect wife, perfect mother, perfect employee.
I spent fifty-seven years perpetually grinning, and my teeth hurt from the façade. One day Poseidon emerged from the ocean, smiled, and asked me out. My mother’s words came back to haunt me.
“Hey Sis, I met a guy. He’s really cute but his teeth aren’t great.”
The daughter of the same Mother sighed, “Honey, no one picks a mate by checking their teeth anymore.”
*Maddie Jergensen is a sophomore at Bel Air High School, Bel Air, MD, and a student of Colleen DiNunno’s Drawing and Painting Class. Maddie is my granddaughter.
Thank you for subscribing to Get Gutsy. I appreciate your support and encouragement.
Remember, there’s no expiration on dreams,
Trish
Link to my novel, Paper Bags: https://woodhallpress.com/paper-bags
I see you, Trish 🩵🩵🩵🩵
I write this often on the backs of my gratitude notes: “I see you. I appreciate you. I value you. Please don’t ever forget how loved you are.” You don’t have to know someone well to let them know that in that moment that you’re interacting with them you’re fully present, wholly appreciative and deeply grateful.
Love that you’re doing this, Trish! And that is an amazing sketch your granddaughter made!