Hope in the World Today
What a great weather day! Perfect temperatures with clear skies and little wind. My walk took me on the Cultural Trail for only a short distance. My destination was the grocery store in Lockerbie Square. Upon exiting, I saw a woman sitting on one of the park benches. With it being a beautiful day, I sat on the bench across from her and we began to talk.
This is an unusual occurrence these days. This virus has occasioned six feet of social distancing. It has also caused a lack of conversation and eye contact. Socially being distanced, you might say. It was very pleasant to talk with someone whom I had never met before.
Her name is Tracy and her sister’s name is Stacy. Yep! They are twins, turning 50 on Sunday. She rides the bus from the far Northeast side to this grocery store downtown, not because it is close, but it is easy to get to by bus. For 28 years, Stacy has worked at the same childcare center. She loves the little ones she cares for, these days calling the children and their parents often. She encourages them to take a pause in their day and do some creative exercises she comes up with, such as stopping to look out the window together on a rainy day and point out the things they see. That pause sounds wonderful!
I told her about my Walk of Hope posts and that I was interested in hearing her hopes; where she sees hope in the world today. She sees hope in the acts of kindness she hopes will continue far beyond this pandemic. As she lives alone, she sees the kindness of people calling to check in on her. She shares kindness by calling all those little ones and their parents. Today I saw hope in the face and voice of Stacy!
On my second walk, to pick up a Bazbeaux’ pizza, I saw the sticker pictured here on an electrical box, which shares a great but simple reminder about hope!
1 Corinthians 13:4: "Love is patient and kind.“ Stacy represents patience and kindness. I saw love in Stacy’s actions and for that I am grateful. That truly begets hope!
