Remember when doctors still made house calls? I can, just barely. I know there is home health care that makes visits. But I mean, call someone at night and expect them to come right then? Kind of a thing of the past.
Friends? Now that is a different story. Good friends. I found myself coming down with a cold the other evening. With some lung issues, I really try to jump on top of such things. Realized I could not make an event where I would be doing a historical presentation and would not be selling my books. She was to join me; hence the call.
I did not mean the information to be anything more than explanation for my change of plans. She saw it as opportunity. She being Amanda Grace, author of the weekly newspaper column “Along the Banks of Blairs Creek” and author of numerous novels. One of her latest, To Better A Life, another great read. She is truly a master-storyteller.
She is also a dear friend. About three hours later, two of which was driving, she arrived and had all the ingredients for an organic breathing treatment and several jars of canned goodies. Jars she had put-up herself, including chicken-stock and venison stew. Checked on me over the next couple of days.
When I thanked her, she simply responded, “It’s such a blessing to help others.”
A sentiment I myself share and try hard to put into action.
I am blessed with numerous such friends. Last year during my heart-surgery recovery, Mark delivered fresh-cooked suckers and potatoes weekly all winter. I have a friend Jack that calls regularly to see how I am feeling. A neighbor that just brought us a fresh pie.
Many others to whom I can confidently reach out. Not one to post a lot about my health challenges, as we all have something and my own are quite minor; I mention this little flu thing to add context to my friend’s response to mention just a few of the many kindnesses I receive from friends. There are many I also receive from strangers--“friends” I have just met.
I chose this topic to remind myself, and hopefully others, that we still live in a great world. That we should not be overly influenced by either the news or social media. Though it seems that our so-called public servants have gone to extremes to normalize meanness and display divisiveness and disrespect daily; that is NOT the condition in which we should choose to live.
It is certainly not the condition our Creator intended for us. We cannot say we serve Him and then hide behind the “we all sin” excuse to willingly disobey and ignore His teachings. We cannot continue to listen to and accept justifications we know are not what we should practice. NOT the behaviors we should set before our children.
I am working hard to avoid letting this turn into pneumonia. That is my responsibility. I am not fishing. Not gigging. Drinking lots of liquids. And taking lots of breathing treatments. Just a bit of a challenge. Do not really consider myself sick.
I would feel sick if I believed what the news would have me believe. Would feel sick if I believed what my leaders do is becoming the new normal. I still believe it is NOT. I constantly interact with people that look for ways to be kind. Interact with people who choose to listen. To think.
“A blessing to help others.” That’s where I choose to live.
