I went to a day-long family caregiver's retreat this past weekend and encountered a lot of wonderful people doing fabulous work caring for their loved ones.
Because of my recent physical problems I had to go in a wheelchair. It is a companion chair ~ the kind you have to push with your feet because the wheels are tiny. It's meant to be an easier chair to lift out of the trunk ... much less cumbersome and definitely lighter than the big wheel wheelchairs. But it makes for exhausting pushing, especially when your leg muscles are already compromised. Unfortunatley, I have to push myself backwards because I cannot use the muscles needed to pull myself forward!
After the retreat was over, I was pushing myself backwards across the large campus. It was hot and I was exhausted from the effort. A lady of about 50 years of age came up to me and said, "Can I push you somewhere?" Immediately I went into my "don't want to bother anyone" frame of mind and said thanks but I was good.
She saw right through me and said, "I need a walk in the sunshine; I've been cooped up all day. How about if we go together to your car."
It was the kindest thing imaginable. She pushed me all the way to my car, five minutes of walking which would have been ten minutes of my backwards shoving! When we got to the car I thanked her so much. I told her what a blessing she was and how much I really needed that random act of kindness at the end of a long tiring day. She said it was her joy - and I really believed her because she was all smiles and wishing me a happy day.
I realized in that singular moment that there is no kindness too small to make the difference in the life of someone else. It doesn't have to be a big thing. In fact, the little ones are often the sweetest.
Thank you to my very own angel for showing up that day when I most needed you.
