Be kind.

Another death notification today.

When I saw him and realized who it was I was very, very sad. You didn't know him. He was one in our shadows.

A bit older than I am, no friends, no job, no pressing purpose in life, never caused attention to himself, never saw the limelight of success or popularity. He was able to settle in the shadows and just be. Today he decided he had enough of just being.
What rocks me tonight is that I enjoyed visiting with him.

I would see him every few months at the least and visit for just a few minutes.
I never treated or spoke to him with any less respect than the most prominent person I would visit with because that is what we are created to do.

That is what Jesus wants us to do.

I read what Einstein said years ago and try every day to speak and treat everyone with the same care, love, and concern knowing at any time Jesus is walking among us.

“I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university.” ~ Albert Einstein

Normally I don't share after notifications or sitting with those that are grieving, but today I am just so sad because I wonder if I could've done more to make him feel loved.

I started long ago hugging him as we parted, an action I could tell immediately was a unknown feeling.

Why share with you tonight? Because I know many in the shadows. I know many who are just being, hoping to achieve more someday but already accepting that their lot is just to survive. Hope is a four letter bitter word.

Days are so busy taking more time with those who don't have to be in our days is a consumption of very valuable minutes. I need to slow down and do this more because once again I was reminded tonight that there is going to be that time that I feel I could've taken more time had I known it was to be the last time.

Why I share with you is to remind you as well to love everyone in the best and most comfortable way you can.

At the very least and the very most be kind to everyone. Everyone.

You may be the last bitter word they hear, or the last kind word. May you lay your head down at night knowing you threw no daggers in word, glares, or deeds and only communicated kindness to everyone you crossed paths with inside your home and out.

Let your words sow hope, love, and peace inside your home and to all whom you meet. It will matter. It does matter.

It did matter.

Wishing you peace & love,
Terri
www.hopeandfriendshipfoundation.com