Was always smiling.
Not until today did she
Reveal the terrible burden
Her family is facing.
Christmas isn't merry for
Everyone this year.
Be kind.
The smile you see may be
Hiding anguish.
In the pictures she posted she
Was always smiling. Not until today did she Reveal the terrible burden Her family is facing. Christmas isn't merry for Everyone this year. Be kind. The smile you see may be Hiding anguish.
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"My dad is lonely," my friend told me.
Her mom had died several months earlier, And he was missing her. I empathized. "Recently, I've been lonely too," I said. "I wish someone could hug me during These times of upheaval and say, 'Honey, it will be okay.' I wish I didn't need to eat dinner alone or Walk in the park by myself. I wish I were still number 1 in someone's Life rather than 3 or 4." I shared my thoughts, not because I Wanted my friend to pity me. I've learned to cope. But I wanted to help her understand how Her dad felt. Before the era of Facebook and
E-mail, we wrote letters. (Actually, I still do.) We needed to formulate our Thoughts in order to write them Down, and if we waited a bit before We dropped our missive in the Mail box, we could decide to rip it up. But now we vent online without Restraint, not considering the harm That our words may cause, not taking The time to think through our Responses. We wish we could shred some of the Messages we've sent, but sadly, It's too late. "Black lives matter."
We see the words, hear the Words everywhere. But a friend advised me that it is Hurtful to reply, "All lives matter," even Though that is true. She said it's like telling a friend whose Father just died, "Everyone's parents die." I've considered how I should respond. Perhaps I should say, "Black lives matter to Me too. You matter to me. Can you help me Understand your frustration and pain?" I hope I'll have an opportunity to try out My response. Since our GriefShare sessions at
Church have been cancelled, several Of us who are facilitators are Contacting the folks who have been Attending the meetings. Four of them are on my call list. All the populace is hurting, but especially Those who are in the throes of Grief, many fending for themselves, Wondering how they can cope and Hope alone. Isolation for the bereaved is loneliness to The nth degree. A phone call can't take the place of a Personal contact, but it is a start. It's a way to connect heart to Heart, to listen, to share a word of Encouragement and a prayer. A ten minute visit may seem like a Small thing, but it's a big thing when The voice on the other end of the line Says, "I was feeling low this afternoon and Your call lifted me up. Please call again." I will. I highly recommend the practice. A call blesses the caller as much as it Does the called. A friend called asking for prayer.
She was just diagnosed with cancer. Another gal's surgery was postponed. The spreading virus is all consuming, and Other vital health issues get pushed aside. Lots of people have more to deal with Than lack of toilet paper and empty Shelves at the supermarket. Lord, give my friend and others like her Extra comfort and extra strength and Extra support. Help me be an encourager to those who Have more than the epidemic on Their mind. Sitting next to her in church I sensed her
Anguish. The seat beside her was empty. When she began to weep as we sang the Familiar carol, I put my arm around her and Hugged her tight. "How long will the tears last?" she Asked me. I was truthful. "Yours are just beginning. It will be a long time." Minutes later I bumped into a Bereaved mom. Her daughter's funeral was on Monday. Our hug was a long one. If we watch for them, we will see the Walking wounded all around us, trying to Somehow "do" Christmas with Broken hearts. And when we don't know what to say to Them, a hug will do. Be aware that we're here,
Singles scattered among the World of twos. The ones who need the extra Chair pulled up to the table set For four. The ones with no one to Open up the door. Look behind our confident Mask and see the empty Spot inside. Invite us into your couple Conversations like our words Have meaning too. They do. Sit beside us in church. Seek us out. Smile. Give our shoulder a gentle hug. Realize you could one day be one Of us. Be aware. Care. I'll admit it.
When I see the man holding the Homeless sign, or the familiar woman Manning her post by McDonald's, I'm Skeptical. They look able bodied. How can they stoop to ask for a handout? But one of Jesus' stories gives me Pause. He described a beggar who sat Destitute outside a rich man's house. When the poor man died he was Carried to paradise. The wealthy ruler, however, ended up in Torment begging for a drop of Water. The men's roles were reversed. Who could have guessed their ends? When I encounter the panhandlers in My community I must withhold my Judgment. Only God knows their hearts and their Fates. I pray that I can show as much respect for The ones begging as for those who are Handing out the dollar bills. (Jesus' story is found in Luke 16:19-31) I'm always looking for little ways to
Give someone a perk, but today I Was the "receiver." As I was leaving the nursing home where I Had visited a friend, a gentleman coming Toward me said, "You have a nice smile." I thanked him and we walked on. The brief encounter made my Heart smile too. Hours later, the warm feeling still lingers. It just takes five: "Do you need a hug?" "Can I pray for you?" "You really lifted my spirits." "My heart hurts for you." "Thanks for being my friend." "You look great in that." "How can I help you?" "You have blessed my life." "You beam Jesus to me." Just five words can change the Course of someone's day. |
Dorothy Kalb Hsu Seitzinger
Writing poetry has helped me process and express my sorrows and joys, my concerns and blessings. "Life is hard, but God is good!" Archives
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