Question:
Why were we born on earth?
My eight year old asked me this question yesterday and i do not felt i gave him a truly genuine answer - i think i babbled something about me leaving a footprint for others to step into etc etc.
I dont think he bought it completely because he then highlighted the fact that my feet are 10 sizes bigger than his, so his feet would never fit, but hey, he did say he knows that i work so hard for him and the family and he loves me for it and gave me the sweetest hug, so i must be heading in the right direction!
What he does not know is that i have spent the past 24 hours, really pondering on that question....
I am so passionate about helping others that in the past, i have been hospitalised, awarded, ridiculed and spat on for it..ive nearly lost the most important people in my life and have gained some fantastic people in my life for it...i have even got myself a tattoo to keep reminding me why i do it...yet i still cannot truly answer that question...until 2.10pm this afternoon!!
I was on my way to my local Greggs (i know its wrong but the roast chicken bakes and iced buns were calling my name), when i saw this old lady dragging along one of those old tartan shopping trolleys..and yes, it did have the accompanying squeaky wheel! The high street was busy and people were just zipping past her, left and right, as if she was the cause of their delays.
But she just carried on, dragging her trolley, going about her business...
As she was walking towards me, i saw someone knock her trolley by accident but which unbalanced her, sending her to the ground. I rushed over to help pick her up but a young boy, no more than 12 years old, got there just before me. As he held her right arm, i held her left arm and we helped her get back on her feet..
As she steadied herself, she started crying. I asked what was wrong and she said that i reminded her of her son and the boy reminded her of her grandson who both past away in a car accident five years ago. She said that her son hardly spoke to her after a family dispute a few years before and had kept the grandson away, but she always loved them both and never got to tell them properly before they past away....then she said thanks again, took out a tissue from her pocket, and just walked on.
What struck me at that precise moment, is the answer to my question:
We are here to show love and kindness to others, regardless of who or what they are, without guidelines, without rules, without prejudice. Why? because our lives are forever interwined and no matter what we experience, we are part of one human race and without helping each other when we can, we all suffer.
My meeting that old lady story was short but so powerful for me, to the point where im now going home, to give my son the answer he should have got yesterday...
Till the next time.
