I had a reminder one recent afternoon that life is short.� And that people are experiencing things that we cannot see from the outside, and we should treat everyone with kindness and respect. I was in the dining room...
I had a reminder one recent afternoon that life is short.� And that people are experiencing things that we cannot see from the outside, and we should treat everyone with kindness and respect.
I was in the dining room and heard my partner David talking to someone on the front porch.� That is not unusual � we have people drop by often to bring items for the Little Yellow Free Pantry or to pick up something we are giving away or just to stop and chat.� I peeked outside to see who he was talking to, and saw it was a woman with a large bag at her feet.
I popped outside to join them.� The woman explained that she had some clothing to donate � men�s clothes, and some shoes.� Immediately I envisioned the current state of our attic � filled to the brim with donated clothing that was supposed to be sold at this summer�s Kindness Fundraiser Yard Sale, but the event was postponed until next spring due to rain.
�Ahhh�� I mumbled, thinking, �How do I explain that we are not accepting clothing donations right now without being rude?�.�
�Your husband explained that you aren�t taking donations right now.� That�s ok,� she said quietly.
I gave her the usual spiel about how the sale was cancelled this summer so we are way over-stocked.� She listened, then said, �I understand�� I spent all afternoon getting this together��.
Those moments are hard.� What to say?
Then she quietly said, �My husband just died,� and the tears started to flow.
Ahhh � these were her husband�s clothes.� She had spent all afternoon sorting and folding and bagging his things.� If she is anything like me, she probably held the shirts close, sniffed them, remembered where she had seen him wear them�
The situation had changed.�
This woman was giving not only to help others, but to help herself heal.�
I asked permission to hug her and she gladly accepted.� David and I said that of course, we would love the clothing and boots.� She was uncomfortable with that � we had made it clear that we are not accepting things right now.� But given this circumstance � of COURSE we would accept the gifts.
We helped her unload her car and I asked questions about her husband.� I didn�t want to make her more sad or be nosy, but I figured if the tables were turned I would wish for opportunities to tell people about David.
He was only 70 years old.� Had a physical just a few days before he died.� They were on vacation � first one in a long time due to Covid.� She had just retired a couple of months earlier�� And he died very quickly.� Paramedics worked an hour to revive him, but he was gone.
We don�t know what anyone is going through.� Be gentle with one another.� And celebrate every moment you have on earth.�
