We live our lives in solitude more than we care to think about. Much of the world today tries to remedy this isolation with so-called "social media." But true connection with another has nothing to do with 'tweets,' 'likes,' 'shares,' etc. True connection exposes our vulnerability. Why else would humans spend themselves searching for connection with another, but to fill a void?
The reality of silence left by another's absence is a painfully acute sensation, because true connection with another involves our five physical senses...and our hearts and souls. Thus, the absence of those is equally palpable, intimate, and often life-changing.
In your own relationships, think about the memories and palpable sensations that flood your synapses when a loved one returns. Now, think about their absence. It is these absences that scream loudest, compelling us to take stock of ourselves...and realize that in the end, we are left with two things. Each, in their own way, is a gift.