Saturday, July 5, 2008

No One Knows - - -

I saw this printed on a roadside billboard recently: "No matter what scale we use, we never know the weight of another person's burden."

Pretty heavy and oh, so true. When Mom passed away, I jumped in the car and started out on the 8 hour drive to their home. Stopped to gas up and grab a coffee midway - the cashier was pleasant and handed me coffee, change and "have a nice day". I thanked her and thought ,"You don't know I'm on my way to my parent's home, one will be missing. I really need a hug."

Recently a friend of many years phoned me to meet for coffee - his wife of 40 plus years lies in hospital - terminal. We hugged as we met, sipped our drinks, tears sloshing around our eyes. The shop was full of people - if anyone did notice us, they would see only a man and woman occasionally laughing, talking and having a visit - but what a visit.

I have determined that everyday, I will be more compassionate and show the compassion, to everyone - you don't know the weight of a burden they could be carrying.

9 comments:

Bear Naked said...

"I have determined that everyday, I will be more compassionate and show the compassion, to everyone - you don't know the weight of a burden they could be carrying."

Wonderful philosophy.

Bear((( )))

Putz said...

my dad and mom are both gone, my dad just 10 weeks ago, and my bloggging friends have been so supportive of me, i made a tribute to my dad, of course he is my hero

Kim said...

Oh so true! I'm glad you could be there for your friend.

Jeanne said...

Be kind everyone has a struggle of some sort to face each day.
Our priest talked about this very subject last night in mass.
How wonderful.
Big hugs and smiles across the miles.
Love Jeanne
X0X0

Eve said...

This man was taken to a room by Saint Peter and told he could drop his burden and pick up the burden of anyone else. After seeing all of thier burdens, he picked his back up and quietly walked out.

Awake In Rochester said...

Hi,

I found you though Fat Doctors blog.

That's a good reminder to be more compassionate. You might think that you know a person, but often you only see a fraction of their problems.

JeanMac said...

Welcome, Eve and Awake - thanks for reading.

smilnsigh said...

A beautiful entry. Thank you for reminding us.

'Tis so true. No one knows what's behind a brave smile.

And especially on the Net, we only "see" words, which seem to smile. No face, to show the sadness behind the eyes... even when telling something light.

Yes, we should all try to tread softly... in many ways. -sigh- I need this to be needle-pointed on lots of throw pillows and have them spread all over my house. -sigh- I tend to "walk like Godzilla," at times. Too many time.

Mari-Nanci
Smilnsigh blog

Technonana said...

Thanks for waking us up to the fact that there are a lot of folks who carry heavy burdens, and we do not see!!!
Lord, give us eyes that see, and ears that listen, and may we be your arms in this world when someone needs a hug, or a shoulder!!
May you be blessed!!