Dalai Lama
Standing on the curb of a busy pavement, peering over shoulders of families with young children shouting, waving and smiling in glee as they watch in awe as the superheroes pass by. Time then stops momentarily as my scattered, busy mind comes to a halt. I become fixated on a young boy in a pram...a pram which only comes with a hefty price, a mode of 'specialty equipment' to those who know only too well that it is one of the few prams available to children with a disability which isn't too 'ugly' or 'confronting'. This little boy became my centre of attention. To many...he would not have been seen, or once seen probably ignored. Is my perception correct, or am I just naive to the compassion the majority would show?
As the parade came to a closing end, and my mind had zoomed into this gorgeous little boy, taking in the atmosphere surrounding him I then noticed his family. A sprightly little sister jumping, clapping and having fun alongside her mother and father. All by the boys side, holding his hand like any other small child. There was a difference to me though. I get goose bumps as I re-tell this experience. Although this little boy had no voluntary movement of his own, although he could not support his head, nor shout, clap or show a smile, his eyes said it all. To him this experience of being at Movie World meant the world. Then....as the music died down and others were getting ready to shuffle along to their next ride, hot dog, icecream or gift shop the superheroes stopped, jumped off of their parade floats and head straight over to this boy. No-one waved them over, no-one stopped them and made a request. They noticed and made that decision to acknowledge this little boy who could not make a noise, or wave to his super hero. At this point every bone in my body just melted. My heart felt comforted and my mind mellowed. If this wasn't enough...Batman arrived! He made his way to the family and placed his arms out and carried the boy to the bat-mobile for photos with his sister. At this point I lost it...and that thing 'silly' women do on the television when they are crying...but trying not to...by waving their hand in front of their face like a fan....yep...that was me! I lost it!
This random act of kindness is quite rare, but the more people I come across, the more I realise that there are kind souls, there are people who want and do understand and show respect, compassion, understanding or a wanting to understand more. I shouldn't be so judgemental when it comes to others and to open up and allow more people in, who genuinely want to help. I also encourage others to do the same. I personally believe you will know who are the right people to let in, who will support and encourage you and be there during the times you need them.
The past week has been a time of more learnings for me. Faced with another upcoming challenge for my dear Ruby and those close to her I went to a dark place. Showing resilience and a sense of being un-phased just didn't cut it this time! By doing this and masking my true feelings of worry, concern, anger and fear I could not let anyone in to help. It was only from realising how I got to that pit of a dismal place and speaking about it that I was able to move through it and come out on the other side! As I always get told...I cannot control the outcome so to let it be and not curl into a ball of stress and worry!
The truth is that I am not alone, Ruby is not alone and we have the right support and best support surrounding us. We have the support we need to get through these times, no matter the outcome.
We are never alone x
Writing is a form of therapy; sometimes I wonder how all those who do not write, compose or paint can manage to escape the madness, melancholia, the panic and fear which is inherent in a human situation.
Graham Greene
