Record breaking cold and more snow on the way. A few years ago, I saw a news report featuring a middle aged woman, braving the darkest neighborhoods in New Haven. On the coldest nights, such as these, she checks on the homeless. She encourages them to allow her to bring them to shelters. She leaves warm food and blankets to those that don’t wish to go. Sometimes she has to call an ambulance. I watched as the news cameras focused in on this woman. Filled with awe and admiration, I was shocked to recognize her as my second cousin. She was clearly impatient to get on with her work and not at all interested in an interview or a pose. She is a true hero and I never even knew it. I can’t believe the same blood runs in our veins. I feel shamed to think of the complaining I’ve done about being cold and shoveling.
Chastening, maybe, but no need for shame
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So much better, Derrick! I wish I had come up with that word myself. I am very tempted to edit this and change it. Trying to decide if that would be a weasel- ish thing to do
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not at all 🙂
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Yes, you have the same blood running through your veins. You admire and celebrate your cousin and you let her work put your discomforts in perspective. We cannot all fight on the barricades and believe me, you bring a lot of good and beauty in the world too. Hats of to your cousin, she is an angel. have a lovely weekend, Johanna.
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We all have something to contribute and I’m sure we could all do more….good to be inspired by heroism and integrity! Thank you, Johanna! Hope your weekend is lovely too:)
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What an inspiration. There is also something special… more personal, knowing you know her. It’s real. It isn’t a drummed up news story. Awesome.
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That’s so true, Judy! It was a heartwarming story but seemed so much more amazing when I discovered I actually knew her.
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I have a number of friends who work or volunteer in ways for which I simply don’t have the capacity. I admire them. I also look for ways that I can contribute. I think that somehow – all together – we achieve balance for our communities. At least that’s my hope!!
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Me too. Maybe it comes down to following your heart and the works that come from that are what you are supposed to be doing.
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I like both of you. I know that sounds silly.
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Thanks, Aggie:)
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An inspiring person indeed,that you are in awe of this person means that you recognize what she is doing has great worth… I suspect you are a very empathetic and caring person too.
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Well, thank you…hopefully when all is said and done I will have contributed to the greater good in my own way. At this point, I’m pretty sure I have a lot of work ahead of me
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That is just wonderful, and a nice thing to think about while the weather is so cold there, I am sure your heart is warmed by what your cousin does, it is lovely that you are sharing this great example, it warmed my heart too.
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Thanks. I’m glad I remembered it too. A good reminder to myself to be more thankful and generous and to keep things in perspective.
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Cynthia,
That is so cool that the woman turned out to be a relative. You must have good genes floating in your blood. That is something of which to be proud. I can see the quality of clear light that is coming in the window in your photograph. From living in Northern Wisconsin, I recognize that light. I remember one night when I was a child and my mother was tucking me in. Suddenly, she said that she hated the cold weather because of all the homeless people that had no where to live. It was the first I’d ever heard of people that had no where to live and I thought in my selfish, childish mind that I wished she hadn’t mentioned it just as I was trying to fall asleep. Your cousin is some kind of a saint.
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This morning I was irritated because there was a mixup and our oil tank was very low. I was worrying that with this cold snap, we would run out and have no heat, frozen pipes… then I remembered that news story. Too easy to get spoiled and take so much for granted
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How wonderful x we all do what we can using our own talents x
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So true!
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