Oh my goodness. I’m home today. Took the day off cause I’ve been fighting a cold all week. I figured I needed a day just to take it easy. I thought it was a pretty good plan. Drop off the kids at school, run a couple of errands, and then go home and chillax before I have to pick up the boys again.
Drop off was uneventful. We were late as usual. I was irritated, but that’s our usual morning. I’m still in denial that my children’s sense of time is a#$ backwards. Anyways, kids are safe at school, so onto task number 2. Errands.
The morning was quiet in our neighborhood streets. I was taking it slow, the sun was peeking and I had a beam right in my face. I came to a stop at a four-way intersection. I looked left to right and then right to left. It was clear. I started to go again and nearly got pummeled by a speeding vehicle. I don’t even think the other driver knew she nearly hit me. She was going so fast.
It didn’t take much time and my heart rate was speeding just as fast as the car that nearly got me. It took my breath away. Talk about a near miss. I thanked God, and Jesus, and St. Michael over and over as I sat there trying to gather my composure to drive again. And then realization hit me. I could’ve been badly injured had that speeding car got me. Then flashes of my morning with my kids, slapped me in the face. If that had been my last moments with them, they’d only remember me as a crabby, nagging, mom. I didn’t even say “I love you” to them. Guilt ridden and still feeling stupid and shaken, I drive to my first errand.
As I stood in line at the Utility Office, I see two homeless men clearing up their bedding from the backside of the building. They look stiff and sore from having lain on concrete all night. They’re dirty and disheveled, but they’re smiling at each other. They clasped hands and I heard them congratulate each other about having made it another night. I almost teared up. There I was waiting to get clarification on a utility bill I’d received. Having that bill meant my family and I have power, water, and all the basics to remain comfortable while we’re at home. And these two men were grateful after having woken up on the steps of a public building with their scant possessions. They were grateful because they woke up and have another day. Geez-Louise! Talk about a wake up call. I would’ve preferred coffee to wake up, but dang it — when the Universe is trying to wake you up, it’s like a smack upside the head.
But no, it doesn’t stop there. I finally get home. I get on Facebook and start mindlessly scrolling through all the politics and rantings. But then the scroll stops at a post showing a man punching his helpless dog repeatedly on the head. The dog isn’t even fighting back and is just taking it. The man then shows how his fist is scratched from hitting the dog. The dog just lays there with his eyes tightly closed like he already knows more beating is coming. I lost it! I completely sobbed and had to get out of Facebook as quick as I can. I dropped my phone. I didn’t even want to touch it after seeing such brutality and hatred. How can someone be so heartless? My heart was breaking for the poor dog and I wished many evil things upon the man who caused such an innocent life such pain and cruelty. Even as I write this, I’m tearing up.
I have a lot of moments when I lose faith in humanity. We are a destructive, selfish species. To be honest, I don’t even understand why I was compelled to write about my morning, but I was nudged to do so. From a near miss, to witnessing gratitude, to seeing cruelty. I’m not sure what the lesson is yet, but if you come across this post I hope that you see value in it.
I haven’t lost all optimism. I still have faith that those with light and love in their hearts will rise up and spread goodness all over the world. Sometimes it’s just hard to see beyond the fog of negativity — especially when there is so much hurt around.
I’ll shake it off. Focus on the good. Hug my kids when they get home today and give my own fur babies (my two baby kitties) extra treats tonight. (BTW, the cat in the pic is not mine. I can’t take a picture that great looking. LOL!) (Both the pup and the cat are pics from Morguefile.)
Animals are a spirit of good. They must be protected just as much as children. I pray that one day, our world finds a way to eradicate abuse and cruelty — especially to kids and animals. We need to protect those who can’t protect themselves, otherwise what kind of world are we leaving for the next generations to come?
