It was Friday, February 19, 1999. I was sitting in my car dazed, confused and very much in turmoil, because I had just buried my beloved two year old son, Jarod Charles, 15 minutes ago.
I had left in my car to get away and was completely numb to
all around me. As I sat at the stop sign, I was so completely unaware
that I started to proceed out of turn. The fellow across from me honked
madly, gave me the "finger" and mouthed a few obscenities that I did not
fail to miss.
I sat there so completely stunned and then I became so
filled with spontaneous anger that I was shaking. I thought to myself,
what a low life scum bag jerk to "flip me off" after I just buried my
son. I peeled away and was simmering on the point of boil.
I drove
back to the graveyard, have giving it enough time for the rest of the mourners to be
gone, to have private time with my son. As I sat there, I became more
upset that that man's single act was crowding my mind when I just wanted
to weep and talk to my little boy before my flight that night.
As I
thought, I came to realize something that made me fill with shame
instantly. WHO AM I TO BE ANGRY AT THAT MAN?? HOW WAS HE SUPPOSE TO
KNOW?? In fact, I asked myself if I could still count on both hands or
if it was time to start on my toes, how many times I had done that exact
thing.
Then came the reality of it. And here is my point. It is about
random acts of kindness, not random acts of unaware cruelty.
Like I
said, how was he to know I had just buried my baby. But the sad thing
is, how I am to know that the kid I cursed a punk about 2 months ago for
nearly sideswiping me wasn't on the brink of suicide and my gesture
pushed him to the edge?
Or how about that little old man that I cursed
until I even had to blush because he was not paying attention and missed
the whole red light?? Or how about that lady that took MY PARKING spot
at the mall?? How am I to know that the little old man wasn't deep in
memory of a loved one past....or how about the lady simply just didn't
see my blinker because she was worrying about getting her shopping done
to get home to take care of her kids???
Ok, maybe I'm being overly
dramatic, but really, its true...we know no one until we've walked in
their shoes.
So please, the next time you feel anger, frustration, etc
towards a stranger....think before you act. It's the one think I like
about life...it's ok to be a hypocrite...one merely learns from their
mistakes...or better said, past actions.
Instead, try to be overtly
nice. For if they are truly in the wrong, perhaps your kind gesture
will set them on a kinder, more aware approach. And please, tell
someone you love them today....Life is very short....Live each minute
like it is your last.
--- 