I prepared food this morning in a mask. That actually doesn’t sound that strange given the time we are living in. But it wasn’t that kind of mask. It was a felt mask representing a villain in my kid’s favorite cartoon. So as I spread jelly on bread I took on the personality of Luna Girl, all the while Romeo (played by my masked 3 year old) was watching my every move. 

There were no instructions about how I was supposed to act. Simply a mask handed to me and then watchful eyes. He was both scene partner and audience. And not giving me much to work with. Thankfully, Ben walked in and I tossed the mask to him and diverted attention. 

Masks seem to be everywhere these days. And I’m thankful for the protection they offer. The solidarity I feel when I see someone else walking down the street making a similar choice as me. In an isolating time, it bonds me to strangers. Masks can also be isolating. I only realize after passing someone that they cannot see the smile I’m offering them. 

I wore masks even before this pandemic, they were just invisible. I would move my face into the correct posture when I didn’t want to talk about it. I would smile through frustration. I would act the part and still do. The power of masks. They allow us to become what we are not, what we want to be or hide what is fragile. 

Today I wore the mask of a villain and realized I don’t have to agree with the mask to wear it.