SHARING A STORY FROM A FRIEND

Hello Wisdom Friends,

My keyboard has been busy typing up the last research paper of my college career, one that should have been completed by May. But I was sidelined by fear, self-doubt, loss of focus, and a pandemic. The typing stopped briefly, but a new chapter was writing its own story for me behind the scenes. 

Several months back, I met a wonderful older lady who has the spirit of someone much younger. But the day I met Mabel, that spirit had waned, and she had lost all hope. I had gone to the store with my fears chasing me like a pack of hungry lions. I walked by a handicap spot and saw what I thought was a lady laughing in her car. But, when I looked back, it was the hard sobs of a desperately sad older lady. My mind was racing; how do I approach her with this mask and being stranger? I gently knocked on her window and stepped back. She looked at me with her tear-filled eyes like she had seen a ghost. Then she cracked her window, and I pulled down my mask and asked her if I could help in any way. I told her my name and showed her my driver's license. 

She somewhat pulled herself together and poured out her story. She was 81 years old, lived alone, and had no one to help her. She didn't know how to get a mask or this stuff called hand sanitizer or gloves. She was so afraid she would get sick, die, and no one would ever know. Then the tears poured out again. It was all l could do not to start crying myself. I told her, if she trusted me, I would help her. I went into the store and asked to borrow paper and pen and explained what had happened. Back out to Mabel, and she gave me a little list of things she needed along with her medicine. From that day forward, a beautiful friendship has formed. Now, she calls me to make sure I am ok. She has met other people now, thanks to the help of friends of mine. I can tell you, friends, I went home that day and cried.

I share this story with you, not for any accolades, but to make you stop and observe what is going on around you. Even in these times that have come upon us, we need to be more empathetic than ever. I often wonder how many other Mabels there are the world. Can we slow down for a moment and extend a hand of kindness, empathy, and compassion?

Even with Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Team, and all the other apps we use to physical distance, we can still ask people how they are doing! Please be sincere in the process. We look in each of the little windows, and tired faces are showing the strain of how life is right now. Weary eyes appear over masks in almost every color of the rainbow. Yet, are we checking on what lies underneath the mask of the mask?

We all are asking the same question, it seems. Will life ever be the same? If you ponder on this, every single day, life is never the same. Even if it is a minuit, it is still a change. We have the power to adapt. I will always be grateful to a boss I had some years ago, who instilled in our team to be a change agent. (Thank you, Tom) Without change, we cannot move forward. Yes, we are moving to a new normal that includes masks and elbow bumps. But the vital component here is we are moving forward, and life will get better.

I have a saying on my door that I found from an online article. In Iceland, þetta reddast (pronounced thet-ta red-ust); it means 'it'll all work out in the end' – and is often said among their people. In a country where they are forced to make the impossible possible, we can learn a lot from their ideals. Sometimes things work out, and sometimes they don't, but you do not stop trying (Kaite, Hammel, BCC Travel.)

Be the good, be the difference.

Martha

 Thank you, Mabel, for helping me to see things in a whole new light!  I know you say, it was me who saved you that day, but in essence, you saved me.

Please take a moment and to remember the lives lost, those who are ill, survivors, and the families.  þetta reddast