Tender gravity of kindness

Under-the-weather health is never fun. And can easily upend whatever is on the list, not to mention our disposition. So, it was no surprise that with my plans for Sabbath Moment up in the air, I was at wits end, until Emma Thompson read me a poem. Well, it may not have been just for me, but it sure felt like it.
She read Kindness, by Naomi Shihab Nye. One of those reminders that sometimes a person needs a story (or poem) more than food to stay alive. The healing power of kindness is real.
And it made me remember this story from Naomi Shihab Nye…
Wandering around the Albuquerque Airport Terminal, after learning my flight had been delayed four hours, I heard an announcement: “If anyone in the vicinity of Gate A-4 understands any Arabic, please come to the gate immediately.”
Well—one pauses these days.
Gate A-4 was my own gate. I went there. An older woman in full traditional Palestinian embroidered dress, just like my grandma wore, was crumpled to the floor, wailing. “Help,” said the flight agent. “Talk to her. What is her problem? We told her the flight was going to be late and she did this.”
I stooped to put my arm around the woman and spoke haltingly. “Shu-dow-a, Shu-bid-uck Habibti? Stani schway, Min fadlick, Shu-bit-se-wee?” The minute she heard any words she knew, however poorly used, she stopped crying. She thought the flight had been cancelled entirely. She needed to be in El Paso for major medical treatment the next day. I said, “No, we’re fine, you’ll get there, just later, who is picking you up? Let’s call him.”
We called her son, I spoke with him in English. I told him I would stay with his mother till we got on the plane and ride next to her. She talked to him. Then we called her other sons just for the fun of it. Then we called my dad and he and she spoke for a while in Arabic and found out of course they had ten shared friends. Then I thought just for the heck of it why not call some Palestinian poets I know and let them chat with her? This all took up two hours.
She was laughing a lot by then. Telling of her life, patting my knee, answering questions. She had pulled a sack of homemade mamool cookies—little powdered sugar crumbly mounds stuffed with dates and nuts—from her bag—and was offering them to all the women at the gate. To my amazement, not a single woman declined one. It was like a sacrament. The traveler from Argentina, the mom from California, the lovely woman from Laredo—we were all covered with the same powdered sugar. And smiling. There is no better cookie.
And then the airline broke out free apple juice from huge coolers and two little girls from our flight ran around serving it and they were covered with powdered sugar, too. And I noticed my new best friend—by now we were holding hands—had a potted plant poking out of her bag, some medicinal thing, with green furry leaves. Such an old country tradition. Always carry a plant. Always stay rooted to somewhere.
And I looked around that gate of late and weary ones and I thought; This is the world I want to live in. The shared world. Not a single person in that gate—once the crying of confusion stopped—seemed apprehensive about any other person. They took the cookies.
I wanted to hug all those other women, too.
This can still happen anywhere. Not everything is lost.
(Thank you, Naomi.)
Ruth Smeltzer’s wonderful reminder that, “You have not lived a perfect day, unless you have done something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”
Compassion can still happen when we give way to the “tender gravity of kindness.”
Encounters with no stain of stingy or cruel or callous or shame.
Yes. And here’s the deal: Every single one of us hurts and yearns, and longs to be seen and valued.
And you can never underestimate the power of kindness.
Seeing the devastating California fire images (on screen and photographs) the power of kindness is on full display again. Seeing the wreckage, no, I cannot imagine. But I do know this; with such devastation, so many people need support right now.
And reading Maria Shriver this morning, whose family has evacuated the fires, “Speaking of gratitude, there are no words to adequately thank the firefighters working around-the-clock to protect us. These firefighters are risking their lives for us. They are firefighters from all over the state, the country, and the continent. There are no words to express how blessed we are to have them here helping us. We’re total strangers to them, and yet they risk everything for us. Think about that…
People keep asking, ‘Are you safe? Are you okay?’ The more I think about it, though, no one is really okay. Even those whose houses are still standing are not okay. People who are alone aren’t okay. People whose kids are out of school indefinitely are not okay. People watching the news on the edge of their seats, hoping and praying a new fire doesn’t erupt are not okay. Perhaps the better question to ask someone is, ‘Are you safe at this moment? And how can I support you?’…
But even before the fires, I decided to change my word to “care,” as I want to be a part of building a more caring and loving country. I want to be a part of building a more caring and loving community. I want to care for others and care for myself. I’ve noticed that I like when others care for me and about me. It helps me. Care is something I feel we all need more of, and now nothing could be more true.
My friend Elizabeth, who lost everything, recounted a story to me of being in Target. When she asked if they had support for fire victims, someone behind her offered to buy her toiletries. She burst into tears. She told me her mind feels like a snow globe right now.”
My travel plans this week have been cancelled for health recovery and down time. So, time to pause and write and recover.
Quote for our week…
“True compassion means not only feeling another’s pain, but also being moved to help relieve it.” Daniel Goleman
Note: Naomi Shihab Nye, “Gate A-4” from Honeybee.
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Today’s Photo Credit: “Good morning Terry, I had an aha moment this morning. As I captured this photo I thought our assignment is quite simple: Be a reflection of God to the world. Amen,” Marguerite Gerontis… Thank you Marguerite… And thank you to all, I love your photos… please, keep sending them… send to terryhershey.com
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Letters that do my heart good…
–Terry, Thank you for making such a great “personal” difference in the world. Your words and the affirmations of your heart bring such light and hope as a bridge into our world. Yes, you are like that beautiful rainbow shining over the Tacoma’s Narrows Bridge that connects the two divided shores of The Narrows and offers hope and peace, which is so representational of the beautiful rainbow. Thank you for all that you do of connected people to wholeness and holiness! Father Larry
–Dear Terry, Your gift of hope each new day is a light in my life. And I HOPE you will continue to share your thoughts, insights, and wonderful quotes from other wise souls with us as we each continue walking one another home. Blessings on your year. Kay
–Thank you Terry, what a blessed gift you have for delving into the hearts of others that you haven’t even met and pouring the truths of our hearts, yours and the Lords so beautifully into words. Tamara
–Hi, Terry, You have to know that we need you to keep doing what you do, so we can keep going. To remember that God is always with us. God bless you always! Love and peace, Sue
–Bill and I wish you and yours a blessed New Year. A highlight was spending time with you at Shrine Mont, bringing new perspectives home with us along with new friends. I hope you are ringing in the new year with your buddy Ed, toasting the end of 2024 as the sun sets! Cheers and God’s blessings. Margaret
–I thank God for you and all you have said and done for each of us, to grow deeper
in His love. You are the “GIFT” He has chosen to give us. Through you, we realize,
that each of are needed to walk each other home. God bless you always. Happy, healthy and holy New Year 2025 to you and all those you love. Elaine