This is an old email that I sent to a few of my friends, documenting an experience that really enlightened and blessed me. As much of an impact it had on me, I hadn't thought of it for some years and it made me realize that I need to reflect more often. I hope that this ministers to you as it did me.
On Thursday, after I dropped one of my surrogates off, I made a quick run to Laurel Mall to get some party supplies for Rane's birthday party the following day.
In the parking lot, I saw an older woman sitting down and weeping loudly. At
first, I ignored her and proceeded to my car, but then a nagging feeling
came over me and I felt compelled to speak to this woman.
There she sat, with a few layers of clothing, an old weathered face and long
strawberry blonde hair cascading past her shoulders. I could tell that
underneath her haggard exterior, she was once a beautiful woman with crystal
clear blue eyes, high cheek bones and gorgeous hair.
I asked her why she was sobbing and she said that she had no place to sleep
and she was hungry.
Through her whole story, she continuously said that she was still thankful
because she could have been dead by now, and she was expecting a grandson
and she felt fortunate to be afforded the opportunity to see him when he is
born.
So, I called her daughter whom she hadn't spoken to in quite some time and
the two of them chatted for about twenty minutes. After that, I bought her a
bite to eat and called a shelter so that she could find a place to sleep.
When I was leaving, she hugged me, and cried but she told me that this time,
she shed tears of joy. She was glad to have met one person who seemed to
care. She also told me that while she was thankful for the food, nothing
made her happier than to have had spoken with her daughter. I spoke to her
daughter over the phone and found out that this woman was an alcoholic and
drug abuser and her poor decisions as a parent led her kids to be shuffled
thru the system in foster care. She said she loved her mother, and her
mother is now drug free, but years of bad living makes it hard for her to
dig herself out of this ditch of disparity.
Walking away from that woman, who told me she will never forget me taught me
one thing... I am a very fortunate and blessed woman. From time to time we
all get down about certain aspects of our personal lives, however, there are
others who are braving a much tougher storm than the mere rain cloud that
sometimes hangs over our heads.
I hope that this was enlightening for you as it was for me. I thought it
would be nice to share.
Enjoy your Sunday!
Abby
On Thursday, after I dropped one of my surrogates off, I made a quick run to Laurel Mall to get some party supplies for Rane's birthday party the following day.
In the parking lot, I saw an older woman sitting down and weeping loudly. At
first, I ignored her and proceeded to my car, but then a nagging feeling
came over me and I felt compelled to speak to this woman.
There she sat, with a few layers of clothing, an old weathered face and long
strawberry blonde hair cascading past her shoulders. I could tell that
underneath her haggard exterior, she was once a beautiful woman with crystal
clear blue eyes, high cheek bones and gorgeous hair.
I asked her why she was sobbing and she said that she had no place to sleep
and she was hungry.
Through her whole story, she continuously said that she was still thankful
because she could have been dead by now, and she was expecting a grandson
and she felt fortunate to be afforded the opportunity to see him when he is
born.
So, I called her daughter whom she hadn't spoken to in quite some time and
the two of them chatted for about twenty minutes. After that, I bought her a
bite to eat and called a shelter so that she could find a place to sleep.
When I was leaving, she hugged me, and cried but she told me that this time,
she shed tears of joy. She was glad to have met one person who seemed to
care. She also told me that while she was thankful for the food, nothing
made her happier than to have had spoken with her daughter. I spoke to her
daughter over the phone and found out that this woman was an alcoholic and
drug abuser and her poor decisions as a parent led her kids to be shuffled
thru the system in foster care. She said she loved her mother, and her
mother is now drug free, but years of bad living makes it hard for her to
dig herself out of this ditch of disparity.
Walking away from that woman, who told me she will never forget me taught me
one thing... I am a very fortunate and blessed woman. From time to time we
all get down about certain aspects of our personal lives, however, there are
others who are braving a much tougher storm than the mere rain cloud that
sometimes hangs over our heads.
I hope that this was enlightening for you as it was for me. I thought it
would be nice to share.
Enjoy your Sunday!
Abby
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