Showing Kindness During Difficult Times

A call for help from a neighbor

I noticed him standing across the street, as I waited for the lights to change.

He swayed. With his hands held out to the side, he gripped the chain link fence behind him and swayed again. This time less so. I watched him warily as all kinds of thoughts filtered through my mind. “Was he drunk this early in the morning”?

I thought about going the other way but standing still I continued to watch as he desperately tried to stay vertical.

I held tight to the large package of toilet paper I was carrying. After all, I hadn’t just walked four miles for nothing. I crossed the street. He wobbled around the corner of the fence, gripping his hands behind him.

I hurried to pass him because who knows, he could test positive. My heart pounded and then slowed in concert with my steps.

“Do you need some help?” I asked.

Keep going. He could be positive. You don’t wanna catch it with your fragile health.

Then I thought, how fragile was Jesus when he carried the cross?

It is not death or pain that should be dreaded but the fear of pain or death. Epictetus.

He dug through one of the many pockets of his stylish red jacket.