Good things can happen

when you meet strangers...

Dec 15, 2023

“Be kind. For everyone you meet is fighting a battle that you know nothing about.” ~ Wendy Mass

man holding hand with woman on chair — Photo by Jem Sahagun on Unsplash

So many times we find ourselves wrapped up within our own world. Our lives become busy, especially during the Christmas season, and we don’t take the time to notice other people around us as we go about the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives.

Every person you encounter, whether they are old or young, feeble or healthy, whatever chapter of life they currently find themselves in…every person has their own triumphs and battles that are going on…and we are all a part of whoever’s story we enter…no matter how brief that encounter ends up being…

I was reminded of this earlier this week when I read an email from Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditations entitled “Kindness at Gate A-4” in which the Arab-American poet Naomi Shihab Nye talks about her encounter at an airport with a distraught passenger who had limited English skills.

An employee on the airport loudspeaker asked if anyone who spoke Arabic could come to assist a passenger at Gate A-4.

Nye went on to describe the situation, “An older woman in full traditional Palestinian embroidered dress, just like my grandma wore, was crumpled to the floor, wailing loudly. “Help,” said the flight service person. “Talk to her.… We told her the flight was going to be late and she did this.”

I stooped to put my arm around the woman and spoke to her haltingly. “Shu-dow-a, Shu-bid-uck Habibti? Stani schway, Min fadlick, Shu-bit-se-wee?” The minute she heard any words she knew, however poorly used, she stopped crying. She thought the flight had been canceled entirely. She needed to be in El Paso for major medical treatment.… I said, “No, we’re fine, you’ll get there, just later, who is picking you up? Let’s call him.”

Nye went on to describe in great detail how she and others around her helped the woman. Eventually the woman pulled out a sack filled with homemade cookies called mamool - which were little powdered sugar cookies stuffed with dates and nuts - and she was offering them to all the women at the gate. As each person around the woman helped her, she became less distressed, started to smile and laugh and become more at ease.

And, in turn, those around her reflected her feelings. What had started as miscommunication and confusion, had ended up becoming a beautiful expression of our common humanity.

The story reminded me of how quickly, especially in today’s world, we judge others - not knowing the entire story, behind each person’s actions and thoughts.

When you watch the news and you see people from around the world, you see a variety of languages, customs, religions and cultures - each one reflecting a unique history and story.

But you also see the one thing we all have in common - our humanity. We all cherish our loved ones, want what is best for our children, desire happiness and peace and most importantly, we all want to be respected and loved.

Those qualities can also be found in the people you come across in your everyday life…

So next time you encounter someone, look them in the eye and say hello…hold a door open when you are entering or leaving a store…offer a warm smile…

And remember…their story may or may not be similar to yours…but for that one moment, you are a part of their story…so why not be a good part?

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