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blogging101, Creative Writing, Faith and Writing, Journaling, Quotes, Reflections, Writing 101, Writing Prompts
It’s day 2 of the 3-Day Quote Challenge issued by Bridget over at The happy Quitter. It’s one of those mornings when I’ve read through every quote in my binder and nothing is really hitting me. So I’ve settled on one by Carl Jung simply because of something that happened last Saturday.
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As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being.
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Saturday was our regular semi-annual dentist date. A date in more ways than one as Drollery and I always wait to break our fast until after our 9:00 appointment. There’s a great restaurant nearby that we love — Jeremiah’s. It’s worth the 45-minute wait to get in!
It wasn’t Drollery’s usual check-up, however, as he’d had a tooth pulled ten days ago and was having some problems with stitches coming out and it not healing properly. So I ended up waiting quite a while for mine. And as I was sitting there chatting with the receptionist, whom I’ve known for several years now, I noticed she was on the verge of tears. I had a good idea why.
For all the years I’ve known her, going on 12 now, she and her husband have been trying to start a family. They’ve done all the tests, tried all the different ways of getting pregnant, and as of our last visit six months ago, she was getting ready to try hormone treatments. So I asked her how things were going, and that’s all it took to release those tears.
Turned out she was upset because her much younger, very pregnant sister was going to be at their folks’ house for Thanksgiving dinner this year. In addition, her mother had invited the man who is remodeling their bathroom and his wife, who is also expecting anytime. It’s not that she didn’t want them to be there, of course, but her mother simply could not understand why Autumn was in such an emotional turmoil about it. When Autumn had tried to explain, her mother poo-pooed her feelings and said, “You’re probably not supposed to have kids.” Certainly not helpful, and downright mean spirited, in my opinion.
Her mother may not have understood what Autumn was going through, but I did. One of my best friends and I found out the same day we were pregnant. There was so much excitement knowing we would be going through our pregnancies together. And then I lost my baby.
That was such an emotional time in my life. We had tried for six years to start a family. My sister-in-law had just delivered a beautiful baby girl, and they only live a block from us so we saw them often. It became more and more difficult for me to be around both Junie and Sharlene. All I did was cry. But come time for Sharlene to have her baby blessed, I asked her if I could buy her dress for the service. I think I was trying to make up for my increasing absence from the relationship. Buying that dress and taking it down to her ended up being one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Yes, I knew exactly what Autumn was feeling.
I don’t believe it was an accident that there were no other patients waiting. It wasn’t an accident that I was the one there with her. God knew she needed someone who would understand and who could assure her that what she was feeling was not mean or selfish. She just needed someone to “kindle the light in the darkness” for her. I could see the relief on Autumn’s face when she realized she wasn’t the only one who has ever gone on that emotional roller coaster ride.
I think Jung was right. My sole purpose for being there that day was to kindle that little light for Autumn so she wasn’t beating herself up for the holidays and feeling that much worse. I hope in some way I was able to do that.
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Do you ever stop and take the time to notice the cashiers at the grocery store? The bank tellers? People sitting alone in a coffee shop? They’re all folks who have amazing stories going on inside them. And sometimes, you never know when, you might be called upon to write a paragraph or two with a word of kindness, a smile, or even a hug. Next time you’re out and about, slow down and have a look around. You never know when you’ll have the opportunity to kindle a light in someone’s darkness…
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Impromptu Promptlings 
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The Universe brings us what we need, and guides us to those who need us.
You know, I actually do notice the cashiers, tellers, baggers at the market, and talk to them quite often. It’s always interesting the people who touch our lives, and in turn, whose lives we touch. Sometimes for a reason, other times for a season, and there are those who are there for a lifetime.
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You just never know who is going to touch your life, do you…
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That the adventure, isn’t it? 🙂
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I remember the time when we have been told that we couldn’t have children. It wasn’t what we had planned and it took a while to adjust to the the idea of “just us.” We didn’t adopt, but I am the proud Godmother of many children and now Grandchildren, although I have 3 inherited children (long story).
I do notice people around me and I often feel the need to talk to them. My biggest issue is to “read” them and understand that some want to be left alone as well.
Great post!
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I think you hit on something very important, that you often feel the NEED to talk to them. I think that’s a good way to know if serendipity or synchronicity is at work.
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Nothing surprises me anymore….whether you call it synchronicity, serendipity, fate….I believe in it all
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It’s funny that we have so many words for that same energy, isn’t it… But it’s like recognizing miracles. You just have to keep your eyes open.
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your heart and ears open….too!!!!
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I started becoming aware of the effect of synchronicity in my life when I turned 30, Calen. I’ve never ignored it since.
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Me either. At least I try not to. Sometimes I’m not very observant, however… 😦
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