I had her pointed out out to me just once, but I would hear things about her every now and again from my aunt's family who knew her well and loved her. I would occasionally see her on campus and think, 'Oh yeah, that's _________.' I never said hello because she didn't know who I was. You know those kind of acquaintances?
One day my aunt told me that this girl's father had committed suicide. I was heartsick for her and her family. I just couldn't imagine the devastation. I knew that it might be strange for me to reach out to her since she didn't know me, but I thought about her so much during that time. I cried for her and I prayed for her. Just a few days after I heard the news, I was sitting outside on campus and I happened to look up and see her, walking by herself, a midst a sea of students going to their next class. As I watched her walk, it struck me that it was likely NO ONE who was walking near her at that moment knew of the tragedy she was dealing with. She didn't look especially depressed and I thought that if I didn't know this bit of information about her, I would see her and think that nothing was wrong.
It was one of those very profound life lesson moments I will never forget. I looked at the people walking around her and thought how little we know about the people we pass by, and even interact with, every day. What was that guy struggling with? What was that girl's story? What were the struggles some of my friends were experiencing that I knew nothing about? Suddenly I felt so much love for all of the people I was looking at and I thought about judgment and how we should always be trying to lift one another because we just never know their private struggle.
There is a little quote I have seen floating around on Facebook recently that I love, and it actually prompted this post:
Everyone. E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E. The battles vary in size and strength, but make no mistake that everyone has their own private battle. Let's indeed be kind and treat others like they are enough. Make their battle a little easier; offer our strength, withhold our judgment, follow any good thought to lift and be kind. We likely don't know what their hard battle is or how something we do or say will lift them out of their battle, if even for a moment, or help them to finally claim victory and move on to the next battle, feeling a little stronger.
Lift and love. Kindness. Withholding judgment. I need to work on all of it. That's what I am thinking about today.
You are a great person who always lifts and loves. I'm pretty sure people feel better and happier after spending time with you.
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about this lately because. I feel like I am becoming closed to people's struggles. It's like I am putting up a wall of sorts. I only want to hear the "everything is great" stuff. I feel like I am avoiding people when they struggle. I don't know if it is that I am more aware of people's struggles because they are so accessible on blogs and facebook or if more people are struggling in general. I even notice myself doing it with my kids. When I ask them about their days and they tell me the good stuff I am all ears but when they have something that is not "Pollyanna" I turn off and don't inquire. I worry about what this is teaching them. I am trying to be a more engaged listener but dang, it's hard!
ReplyDeleteAnd Betsy, you and Danalin are from the same kind mold. I am so glad to know both of you (even if one of you desert me for exciting beach filled adventures:)
i love it, just what i needed to hear today.
ReplyDeleteOmg I'm so happy to share this!!! I've been thinking I've lost my mind and it was some mental case. I myself had my tubes tied after my 3rd child. I have a condition that makes having babies so hard on my body. About 6 months ago I too would feel something like "kicks" of course I thought I was out right crazy. I never spoke to anyone about what was going through. How could I? They'd think I was nuts!!! Well my periods have been getting so bad that I reached out to my best friend who also had the operation to see if she had experienced any symptoms with her periods since! Of course we were in the same boat. I broke down and told her I almost felt at times I was pregnant I felt so crazy just typing this out to her. I was beyond nervous she would think it was a nut case. To my surprise she also had similar symptoms. We both are researching what this could be. That's when I came across this website on Google of dr Itua Herbal Center. While scrolling through these comments I stumbled upon how he treated HIV/HHerpes also helped a woman to get pregnant with his herbal medicines. When I read what he had been going through I just broke down and cried for the longest time. Finally I got a help that I ever wanted I and my friend purchase Dr Itua herbal medicines and we both used it which was really effective it cure my cramp issues so I will recommend anyone going through some health issue to contact Dr Itua Herbal Center on E-Mail : drituaherbalcenter@gmail.com Or Whats-App +2348149277967 He cure HIV/Aids, Herpes, Cancers, And other stubborn disease make sure someone here talk to someone about this who is going through the same thing as us. Ty for sharing. I now know we're not alone!!!
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