Remember that oft repeated quote
I cried because I had no shoes, then I met a man who had no feet?
How often I think of this, and thank my circumstances
Sometimes in life, you meet some people
You have pleasant conversations
All seems well
And you move on
Other times you meet people
They tell you their sad story
Not with anger or regret
But just as a matter of sharing
And your life gains a new perspective
You listen to them, tears prickling at the tips of your eyes
You gasp in your mind as they provide painful details without flinching
Your gut wrenches when you hear it all, the unfairness
Why do some people go through so much, you wonder
How does this universe work?
Today was one such day
You met a human, perchance
This human, with the heartbreaking story, is as nice as the next human
Is helpful, has a smile, and radiates warmth and gentleness
And yet, and yet…
When this human tells their story, you break down after you are home
You feel overwhelmed, and helpless
Is there anything you can do to help?
You feel humbled, because in spite of it all
This human manages to smile, help others, and enjoy what little life offers
Mostly, you feel grateful to the universe
You tell yourself how lucky you are
To know and befriend this amazing human, a precious gift to you.
Anu Anniah Writes 