Sometimes, one small gesture can change everything, like a cup of coffee, a walk around the block or a shared meal. These moments may seem insignificant, yet they quietly connect us and remind us that we belong.
Loneliness, on the other hand, can feel like a heavy weight in your chest. It lives in silence, in empty spaces and in the messages you don’t send because you think no one would care. Even when it is unseen, loneliness changes us, it makes us quieter, more distant and unsure of our place in the world. But even the smallest act of care can reach someone, showing them that they are seen, that they matter and that they are not alone.
I learned this firsthand many years ago when I first moved to Colorado from Venezuela. It was my first time living in another country, away from family and friends. I did not know the language well and had only a few friends. During my first Christmas, I did not want to decorate my apartment because it didn’t feel like it was worth the effort. I did not want to go out. I felt small and disconnected. Invisible, wandering through life while everyone else seemed happy around me.
Then, a good friend called. He asked about my plans. I lied, saying I had something to do, but he knew I was lying. Instead of letting me stay alone, he said, “I am picking you up so you can spend the day with me and my family.”
I still remember that day, the smell of ham, roasted turkey and pies and the laughter of his family as they welcomed me without question. I felt seen, included and like I belonged in this found family. That simple act of showing up reshaped the way I understood connection. I still missed my own family that day, but another family had welcomed me as part of theirs.
Later on, a friend of mine mentioned feeling down. My husband and I invited her to our home to share a meal and enjoy a change of pace for the day. She arrived hesitant and unsure. By the end of the evening, as we laughed and shared stories, she told us, “I didn’t realize how much I needed this.” That small gesture, making space at the table and spending time together, filled her heart for weeks.
I have seen countless small acts of care carry the same power, like a friend leaving food at a neighbor’s doorstep along with a note that said, “Thinking of you… ,” a coworker quietly bringing soup to someone recovering from an illness and a friend checking on another friend just because. Ordinary moments like these can save someone, reminding them that they belong.
Connection is health. It is care, compassion and courage all wrapped up in a person. It does not require perfection or grand gestures, just showing up. Social isolation and loneliness quietly affect people of all ages, shaping their days and their sense of belonging in ways that are often invisible.
During the holidays, this need for connection becomes clearer. While many celebrate with family and friends, others sit quietly on their own. Simple acts, like inviting someone to join a meal or sharing a moment of attention, can transform how they experience the season.
I’ve learned that being present matters more than being perfect. It’s been fifteen years since that Christmas when my friend invited me to join his family, and we still get together. They are now my “American family,” and they showed me that belonging comes from being there for someone.
Sometimes, all it takes is asking. Don’t assume someone already has plans for the holidays. Reaching out with a simple invitation or a shared meal can make someone feel seen, included and valued. Often, the smallest gesture is exactly what they have been waiting for, even if they don’t take you up on it right away.
The holidays can expose our need for each other in ways that can get lost at other times throughout the year, but the opportunity to care for one another is present every day. You are not alone. You matter and you have a place with us. The simple power of being present comes from showing up and being there to help someone feel seen. At the end of the day, we need each other and that is our greatest strength.
