Empty hands

I saw her sitting there on the upturned crate.

Old weathered face, wrinkled from some far away sun and a lifetime of experience.

Scarf on head, hobbled leg in front of her, the crutch lying on the cobbled street beside her.

It was a busy afternoon. People rushed by – her empty hat smiled hopefully up at them,

Waiting for a few coins, a smile, a look in the eyes. Anything to acknowledge her humanity.

She sat there unnoticed, just another statistic. Easily dismissed with a ‘They work in gangs to beg and don’t need the money.”

I too have been guilty of the not noticing. But not today. I felt so sad to see this old woman sitting there, invisible.

Those hands have nurtured, loved, baked, cared for others, those hands were beautiful with her love.

So, I bought a single red flower. “For you,” I said quietly while looking into her eyes filled with tears and – perhaps – a fierce joy.

I wanted to fill those hands with something lovely. A gesture to let her know: “I have seen you.”

I’m not a better person than you – I’m probably a much worse one, in fact.

But she is me. They are us.

“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”
— Mother Teresa

I’m very happy to announce that the My World meme is continuing under the name: Our World Tuesday. In memory of Klaus, who created a great network of people from around the world and helped them to become friends.

Please feel free to join the Our World community on Facebook too.