I've had a rough week. A little bit because of work, a little bit personal, a lot a bit me being overly sensitive. (That last one is no surprise, if you know me very well.) But the last hour of my work day today was especially unpleasant, so when I left work I was feeling uneasy and upset. I fought tears as I drove, realizing I wasn't quite ready to go home. I didn't want to bring this mood into my house and splatter it all over my happy husband. So, I just kept driving. I had absolutely no idea where I was heading but I suddenly felt the need to exit the highway. I made a turn, then another. And soon I was in a busy parking lot. I decided to park and try to shake off (or cry out) my feelings.
Then I saw them.
A young family - a man, a women, and two small children - standing on the corner, holding a sign that asked for help.
I cannot truly put into words the feeling that washed over me. Call it what you want - God, The Universe, Fate, A Coincidence - but I knew I had ended up there for a reason. I was being given the perspective I needed to put me in my place.
I dug through my wallet for all the cash I could find (sadly, it wasn't much) and drove up to the family. I rolled down my window and handed a humble and gracious man what I had. His wife burst into tears and thanked me profusely. And then I burst into tears, too. In fact, I had to pull over about a mile down the road because I could no longer see through my tears.
Now, I am sitting in front of my computer trying desperately to find the right words to tie up this post with a pretty bow, but my hands are still shaking and words are escaping me. All I can think of are the lyrics to my favorite NEEDTOBREATHE song.
So tell me you’re strong, tell me you see
I need to hear it, can you promise me to
Keep your eyes open, my love
Keep your eyes open
And open they are. In a way they haven't been for some time.
