I love this quote from Plato...and I find myself thinking back to it alot. I was reminded of it again today in an event that I just can not get over.
Today I had a garage sale...trying to make some extra money ya know. A lady pulled up and was kind of browsing. She looked really familiar but I kept thinking that I couldn't have known her. She couldn't finish her sentences, she was kind of awkward, I was kind of pegging her as someone who had a disorder with the public or maybe was a little handicapped mentally or psychologically. My brain was telling me "You do not know anyone who looks like her & who acts that way." She would pick up something...put it back when I told her the price, start to tell a story and drift off...not like ADD but like just unmotivated. She picked up about 4 or 5 things and talked me down on all of them (which is fine because I was giving everyone discounts who asked.) When I told her the total she handed me some money and said "This is my rent money...but I don't care." I was kind of taken back. It isn't my place to tell anyone how to use their money but I felt bad taking it. I was trying to think of something to say when she looked at me and said "My little boy died this week. Well he isn't little. He is 29. I have not even got to hold him yet because his body is still being examined and they don't know what happened to him." I suddenly realized I knew her. She was the lady who put our windows in two weeks ago. At the time she was happy, normal, someone I would have thought loved life because she was whistling while installing windows. And here she was...broken...alone...devastated. I could have been totally different to her than I was and by the grace of God I was able to pass along the love He shows. All the glory goes to Him for that. She told me my garage sale was the first thing she had done since she had heard the news. She said " I told myself, Donna, you have to do SOMETHING today...and not just a bath...I have to do something other than bathe, so here I am." I hugged her and told her my remorse for her and asked if there was anything I could do. She told me she was over her whole family and people trying to come visit her. I offered her a place to come visit if she needed time away. Her last words were " He was the greatest kid in the whole world...and I love him more than I love myself" I told her I would pray for her and she left crying. I am just PRAYING I run into her again. Please pray for her. I can not believe how heavy my heart is for her. I can not believe how much one tragic incident can cripple someone so much.
2 comments:
That's awful. I can't even imagine going through that. My heart is heavy for her too....let her know that people are thinking of her the next time you see her.
How very sad. I can't imagine how every hour must be difficult for her. I definitely think she's brave for coming to the garage sale and getting out of the house. I'm really glad that you gave her a big hug. You've got a great heart, Jean.
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