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The ‘eyes’ have it — retiree looks for twinkling amid masks By Nancy Fox | for the Mail Tribune Dec 18, 2022 12:15 AM A A I’m talking about recognition. At the beginning of “masks required,” my first thought was that I would never recognize anyone whose face was mostly covered. Fortunately, that is not true. Since we have been encouraged to still wear our masks, I find myself looking more intently into people’s eyes. I’m amazed and delighted when I see a twinkle. It usually means they are looking back at me with the same excitement at recognizing an acquaintance. The light in our eyes sends out a message that says, “I know you.” Now that I reside in an assisted living facility, my friends are new ones who may also have dementia. Seeing a glimmer is so exciting, not only for me, but for others adjusting to life’s changes. The feeling of security in being surrounded by others who look at you with some recognition means we are now part of a new family. Names are not how we know someone. That has taken a back seat to just smiling and simply letting our eyes twinkle back. There has been some loosening of the mask requirement. However, medical facilities still require masks, so I see new faces all the time — all wearing masks. Now I find I don’t know who people are if they have bare faces. Having concentrated on eyes, I have never seen them without their masks, and the difference is confusing. I don’t recognize people because I had visualized features, and the face behind the mask is not what I had imagined. With the holiday season upon us — bringing new twinkles to enjoy and decorations lighting our rooms — I still appreciate twinkling eyes in day-to-day life. Nancy Fox lives in Medford.