Perhaps that white-haired man with the cane, the one who holds up traffic because he can’t get across the street before the light changes, is the senior citizen I know who walks a block every morning to watch the grocery store employee raise the American flag up the flagpole. He likes to start each day saluting the flag of the country that gave him refuge when he fled persecution in Eastern Europe 90 years ago and immigrated to the United States. Do you hear the patriotism I hear?
Perhaps one of those boisterous high school kids, the one who practices skateboard tricks in a nearby parking lot, is the teenager I know who gets up at the crack of dawn so he can accompany his mom, a repeat breast cancer survivor, as she works to build her endurance to participate in a fund-raising marathon for cancer research. He doesn’t want her to have to walk alone. Do you hear the love I hear?
Perhaps one of those 20-something year old mommies, the one who takes forever to vacate a prime parking place at the mall as she juggles her baby in one hand and her cell phone in the other, is the young bride I know who cannot bear to be out of touch with her 28-year old husband who, stricken with ALS, can no longer walk, and finds it harder and harder to breathe without assistance. Do you hear the courage I hear?
Perhaps a coworker, the one who often returns late from lunch, is the son I know who tries to squeeze in a quick visit with his mom who, because of her advanced Alzheimer’s, doesn’t even know him any more. He doesn’t want to miss an opportunity to be with her on the off chance she remembers him. Do you hear the hope I hear?
In my work, I routinely meet everyday heroes, disguised as ordinary people, who are living through extraordinary circumstances. Amidst the hustle and bustle of this season, if you pay close attention and listen very carefully, perhaps you will hear what I hear, and be richer for the experience. And, perhaps others will hear you too.
Happy holidays.
To schedule your first therapy or coaching consultation with Debbie Newman, call her at Working Relationships in Valencia at 661-259-5986 or Encino at 818-385-0550.