A Little Girl — My Moral Anchor

It was a cold, breezy, cloudy, rainy day.  All the oh-so-common ingredients for feeling dreary.  But instead, it was another blessing in life.  A moment to cherish.

I was walking with my 18-month-old granddaughter.  She looked at the world in amazement, taking in all the sights and sensations.  I gazed at her and smiled.

For a few minutes, I put behind my other "priorities" and petty concerns to focus on human connections, compassion, caring.  In that moment, I saw in Vivian's face the faces of others who are not so fortunate.  Starving children in South Sudan.  War-ravaged children across Syria.  Yes, even impoverished children of back-roads Appalachia.  And I feel the grief of those parents far away.  (I cry* often.)

I reflect on the many advantages and benefits I have.  By and large, a relatively peaceful and safe society (despite #FAKENEWS to the contrary).  Plentiful food, clean water, clean air (for the time being).  A close and caring community of family, friends, and neighbors.

And in contemplating the challenges that so many others face, I find some respite from my anger** about the 2016 election results.  I remind myself that we have far more in common than we recognize — or care to admit.

It's not that Vivian is more special than my other grandchildren, that I love them any less.  But Vivian's rough start to life, the timing of her birth, the challenges she's presented to her parents, and my fortunate capacity to lend a helping hand are all reasons to reflect on what's important in life.

And that brings me back to seeing others in a compassionate light.

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* Brother Boehner, Where Art Thou? — to be posted soon
** I'm Not Angry About 'Losing' — to be posted soon