Tears Deeply Disturb Me

This morning, I was in an office and was struck by a lady who, as I was walking in a professional swanky office building shutting a door in front of my face as I was coming in. I thought her thoroughness was a little odd. To be honest, her motion to close the door made me anxious.

"Pardon me sweets, I'm coming in too." I said.

I honestly think I scared the woman shutting the door. Then, I noticed that she had a woman with her who was sobbing and out of breath with a walker. I sat down for just a second, then noticed Kleenex. Her caretaker did not even acknowledge her feelings. I started to tear up and I decided to grab Kleenex for both the lady who was crying and me. My eyes were starting to water. To a fault, I am sensitive to others who cry. I am tough, but I know how painful it is to be sick and not cared for.

Awkwardly, I decided to make the sad woman's business mine. Boldly, I walked up to get a handful of Kleenex. I was trying not to cry myself because I could not imagine what grief or pain she might have experienced. I handed her the Kleenex. She thanked me and told me I was an angel. (Um, I am no saint-trust me here). I get super upset over things that happen. Over time, I have tried to learn not to launch accusations. I have tried. I have even pulled back my sass.

As I handed the very upset lady her tissues, I said, "I used to stuff my bra with this stuff."

That comment was my way of letting her know that I was bad and not good.

Her caretaker looked at me as if the trapped door to the 9th circle of hell might open transporting me with a windy slip and slide to meet the antichrist. Guess what? I never slipped down the secret passage way to the demise I imagined in my head. My final analysis is, do not mind your own business if someone is hurting, tell crass jokes, and make someone laugh. I know both of them will end up in my prayers tonight.

Although genuinely a believer and a follower of Jesus Christ, I am not a very good fit for the Bible Belt. I think the Texas legislature might ban me from the Republic. In that case, Indiana or Illinois will welcome me back for every happy hour possible.

I will never mind my own business when someone is upset. Every homily I have ever heard reminds me that life is not "just about me". I was worn out after that experience. Talking to strangers is not easy for me, at all.