Kindness Brings Tears

At the end of the day people won’t remember what you said or did, but they will remember how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

The pandemic has left many with feelings of anger, often expressed with unkind and harmful words.  Who can blame them, right?  After being cooped up, running out of toilet paper, forced to wear masks, not being able to travel or see loved ones, and going without things we have come to expect, they have a bitter taste in their mouths.  They want things to return to “normal” and want the past to the be the present. 

So even with all that has gone on, the ubiquitous “Be Kind” signs, in my mind, get it right! People remember how we make them feel.  That point was driven home to me at our recent family reunion for my mom’s side of the family, the Wittkopps.  

My mom had five brothers: Ted, Jerry, Kenneth, Dick, and Bill, all younger.  Of all those six children, only my Uncle Dick at age 86 remains.  As a child I was a bit afraid of him.  He was the quietest of the bunch; and now looking back, I think I misinterpreted that silence for him being strict and not fun.  However, he was the one who came out to my grandmother’s cottage with an amphibious vehicle, driving it on land and then into the swamp and lake.  Now that was fun! 

At the family reunion my goal was to listen to as many family stories as I could, write them down, put old photos with them, and create a Wittkopp story book!  When I sat down next to my Uncle Dick, asking him to share family stories, especially about my mom, he said he could not remember too many stories; however, he remembered my mom being so kind to him (and we both had tears in our eyes as he talked), how much she truly loved him, and how much she cared about him both as a child and as an adult.  It brings tears to my eyes now even. 

This goes to reinforce the idea of being kind to other people.  When life gets tough, sometimes it is all we have to cling to: the kindness of others.  That kindness is exemplified in the kindness Jesus showed to others, even when he did not have to be kind–like when he called to Zacchaeus.  He could have simply walked on by; but Jesus took the time to notice him, greet him, and say he would have dinner at his house.  Read about it in Luke 19:1–10.

So, who do you need to notice?  Who do you need to be kind to today?  Who will remember your kindness 40-plus years after you have died like my Uncle Dick did my mom?  Please let us be kind, temper our words with kindness, give others the benefit of the doubt, and look at them and love them!