No, not the Skittle rainbow. I mean finding the happy in the midst of the storm, coming out from the deluge of negativity waiting to drench us daily. It’s easy to become discouraged, depressed and despondent these days, as evidenced by statistics on depression and suicide rates.
We need to check on one another. Talk to your friends, your family members, your neighbors. See how they’re doing. Even the strong ones who seem to “have it all together.” You never know what inner battles someone is facing.
I know…it’s awkward, but it’s worth it. “Are you OK?” is a powerful question when it comes from someone who cares, someone who won’t accept those non-answers we’re prone to offering.
Reach out. You might be the only person who takes the time or makes the effort.
As Ghandi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Sometimes the most profound changes in a life start with a very small gesture of kindness.
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My husband dislocated his shoulder last weekend. The staff at PMC (once we bumbled our way around to the ER department after going in the front door thinking the clinic was still open) was great. But I found myself sitting in the chair while the doc on duty tried to put his arm back in place—which was eerily reminiscent of putting a Barbie back together—worrying not about my husband and his health, but about the bills to come.
It doesn’t matter if you have insurance or don’t, a medical emergency is guaranteed to be both physically and financially distressing. That’s sad. The last thing we should have to think about when we’re in pain (or watching a loved one in pain) is money. Is there a solution? I’d like to believe so, but I don’t think we’re enlightened enough to implement it.
Pat, by the way, is fine, and we’re thankful it wasn’t an injury that will require surgery or a lengthy recovery period. He’s a terrible patient, and I’m a worse nurse.
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Happy Father’s Day to all the dads and grandpas and father figures out there this weekend. Enjoy your day!
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I’ll leave you with this thought for the week from Scottish clergyman Peter Marshall: “Lord, where we are wrong, make us willing to change; where we are right, make us easy to live with.” A fine sentiment we can all take to heart.
