From my second-floor window – at 7:30 a.m. each day I watch a young mother, a teacher, wheel her 2-year-old twin daughters down the steps and get them settled in their van. This daily routine also includes her interaction with a middle-aged man from our neighborhood. His name is Kelly and he is a regular visitor sharing his news early in the morning in a rather loud tone – which could be about his dog or what his plans are for the day. The mom, while getting her children settled takes time to listen to Kelly and offers encouraging words to him as he retells (a couple of times over) the story about his dog and what his plans are for the day.
Kelly approaches the window of the van and offers a wave and blows kisses to the children and then crosses the street and returns to his own home, giving this mother some positive affirmations as she heads to her classroom for another day.
With this pandemic and my own inability to volunteer with the marginalized, I think I have received a gift that is happening right outside my window every morning. I feel that I am participating in this exchange between these neighbors – as I witness the respect for one another, and kindness being given freely to Kelly – who represents many in our society today who are not treated with respect or dignity.
I am realizing that being present can happen in many different ways…
-Sister Ann MacDonald, csj