Brotherly Love Found At A Place Other Than Home

Some days when you look around your neighborhood, workplace, or state, you may feel sadness overtake you. What once were areas where individuals cared for one another, or looked out for one another is often lacking. Many days you may see more of a demonstration of every person looking out for themselves, and stepping on others no matter who gets hurt in the process. It is the “me first,” syndrome and everyone is guilty of bombarding a lane in that race. Where is the presence of brotherly love that used to be visible? Family looking out for each other? Neighbors watching out for each other? Often those days seem scarce, and the loving care you hope to see at your own location has disappeared. But, sometimes it can be found miles away in unexpected places.

A visit to Negril, Jamaica showed me this clearly. Over a period of days a family I had observed and spoken to on a few occasions during the visit (because we stayed at the same resort) demonstrated such love amongst each other. Mother and daughter paid great attention to caring for a father that had lost much of his mobility, and was now confined to a wheelchair. Each day they would bring him as far out on the sandy white beach as they could. This was not much distance because there was great difficulty attempting to navigate his weighted chair. There was a limitation on how close to the sea one could get. Watching the father look at others running happily, and splashing in the water was a beautiful site. Closing his eyes and allowing the breeze to hit his face made him smile. There appeared to be great memories as he sat motionless. He wanted more, and I listened as he explained to his family that he would love to feel the water upon his feet. But, they knew they were not strong enough to lift him. With great sadness they told him they wish they could do it but it was impossible. Mother and daughter hugged each other looking towards the water obviously heartbroken. I sat in silence wishing I had an answer to offer. Before I knew it someone else had a solution.

I heard the words “can we help?" The women stood stunned, as two men emerged from their beach chairs, one on each side carefully lifting the wheelchair, and beginning to walk towards the water. As they moved closer, the joyful expression visible upon the face of the elderly gentleman radiated amongst the white sandy miles of beach. Everyone stopped to look, while others offered their assistance with moving the wheelchair. It looked as if a king was being carried. Within minutes they were at the waters edge. I saw the wishes of one gentleman come to life, as his feet sank in to the beautiful Caribbean Sea. He stayed there taking in the scenery, and his beautiful family stood next to help with tear-stained faces. Thanking the others that made this moment possible I heard the words “we are from elsewhere, but we are still brothers.” I watched in awe.

Moments like this were what I realized was missing back home. Often, we get too busy to speak with our family, neighbors, co-workers, and others. Why? Sometimes we are fearful, make assumptions, and hesitate to reach out. At times we tell ourselves we will plan to do it soon, or at another time that is more convenient. But, those times never seem to come. However, it was nice to see that despite the fact we are not always able to bare witness to the beauty of brotherly connections, they are still happening.

Witnessing the carrying back of a gentleman to the spot of origination was magical. A long embrace amongst a family-inspirational. The demonstration of brotherhood through the miles revealed the full extent of what caring is all about.