I wore a cast and then a surgical boot from late September until early February. My mobility was clearly limited and I could get quite discouraged. I went to the grocery store one morning shortly after I was released from the boot. One of the clerks caught me by surprise when she gave me the biggest smile and a hearty, “Look at you go!” comment. I felt seen and acknowledged for the previous months of struggle.
On another recent day, I saw an older man with a cane slowly walking his small but lively dog along the sidewalk in my quiet neighborhood. He was about a half block ahead of me when I heard him scream, “STOP!” I then saw the car approaching the small dog who had somehow slipped out of its collar and was tearing across the street. I don’t know if the man was yelling at the dog or the car but the car instantly braked. The driver jumped out and literally took off in pursuit of the little dog who was now smelling the daffodils in someone’s front yard. The young man put hands around the dog and was able to deliver the dog back to his human companion. I had picked up my pace and, at this point, could see the old man’s arms trembling as he accepted his dog back. The 20 something year old driver was able to get the collar back on and apparently tighten it up. I was simply a witness to this interaction but it made my eyes moist to watch the kindness unfolding.
Glimmers happen when we find a dash of joy in the experience of simple things. A “glimmer” is being in the right place at the right time and being fortunate enough to actually see that moment. Those kinds of things are always happening even if we can’t see them. There may be a day when it feels as if there are no glimmers to be found. Maybe, in those moments it’s up to us . Maybe in those moments we can be a part of somebody else’s glimmer.
I love these every day acts of humanity at our best.
Beautiful and true. Have a great day!