Sooo Becka ran the Portland Marathon last Sunday (I will get get into the details of that later-but she ran INCREIBLE) and on our way out of town we stopped by Safeway to get sandwiches at the deli. We were in line, ordered our sandwiches and then I decided to go get Harley a treat in the pet isle. After I found the perfect treat I went back to the deli and I noticed a woman that I haven't been able to get out of my mind.
The woman was sitting on a stool by the deli. She was probably in her 50's. You could tell she was sad. Sad and/or lonely. She was rubbing her eyes when I first looked at her and when I looked over again I could tell she was crying. I wanted to go talk to her-but I didn't. I wanted to give her hug and tell her things were okay. But I didn't. I got my sandwich, went back to the car, and drove back to Seattle. But I have thought about this woman a handful of times since.
It has made me think about the recent suicides that have been all over the news. Bear with me as I explain.
From my own experience the worst part about being gay before I came out was the lonely feeling- the constant lonely feeling- and fearing that the loneliness would never go away.
There are a lot of unhappy/sad/lonely people out there. Not just people in the LGBT community. There are a lot of people outside of that community who are leaving this world prematurley due to suicide- and there are even more people living but wishing they would/could die. Just like the gay community, people outside of the LGBT community believe that God has been unfair and believe the judgements they receive from family, friends, and strangers are unfair. People are people- and we all experience the same kinds of things. Good and bad.
I don't know what the woman at Safeway was going through on Sunday but I wish I could have extended love. I will next time. I am making a promise to myself.
I wish we would all extend love to the people we know, the people we meet, and the people who are strangers. We all need love. Its the only thing we need.
1 comment:
When I read your post it made me feel sad. I wish I could tell everyone what Elder Holland said in general conference.
“In whatever country you live, however young or inadequate you feel, or however aged or limited you see yourself as being, I tell you, you are individually loved of God, you are central to the meaning of His work, and you are cherished and prayed for by the presiding officers of His Church. The personal value, the sacred splendor of every one of you, is the very reason there is a plan for salvation and exaltation. Contrary to the parlance of the day, this is about you.”
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