I walked into the post office this morning. To my left, as I entered, a there was an elderly woman, leaning against the counter sobbing. The blue walker, next to her, was stacked with bags and various items. Her mail on the floor. Other people had entered before me and as they exited, glancing at her sadly, they headed back to their lives. I was headed on the same path, “really there is nothing I can do. Get my mail, and get back to it”.
I stopped in my tracks, given the events at Standing Rock, the election we all just experienced, the general meanness of the “machine” I realized it is my involvement, my community, my compassion, experienced in everyday small ways that is what makes the world a better place.
Having no idea what to do, I asked her a somewhat ridiculous question in light of the circumstances, “Are you ok?” Sobbing, she replied “No”, and began to apologize for crying in public. There was little I could do for her, and, I could give her the space to feel how she felt. Words spilled out of her, overwhelm, sadness, her grief around the debilitating effects of aging. The embarrassment of breaking down in public. The possibility of losing her home. The agony of being alone.
So, I stayed with her for a couple of minutes as she collected herself. As we talked I found out, she was not alone, she had a cousin waiting for her in the car. Who, would not approve of her crying. She told me a story about how her dad never cried, even when their dog died.
Before I left, I told a Post Office employee that she was struggling, he said he would check on her.
Did I make a difference for her? I do not know.
As a result, my resolve to engage with my community is strengthened.
I will no longer walk by.
I will no longer assume “it” is none of my business.
I will no longer assume someone else will take care of “it”.
I am “it”.
Our strength grows as we notice each other. Our involvement in everyday ways is what creates our community.
I resolve to pay closer attention to the world around me. Just sayin