Hailey's July Blessings

"The miraculous energy behind an act of kindness, a word of gratitude and the willingness to be in service is that they are all bound to the law of love... When we give, it is us that receives." - Hailey Wiseman

Recently, as I was loading items into my car, I could hear and feel the distress in the voice of an elderly woman as she said to her son "I don't think I want to stand here alone." She was using a walker and he knew it would be difficult for her to traverse up the concrete slope to the second level of the parking garage and he wanted her to wait for him on level ground while he retrieved the car. I knew immediately God had put me there at that very moment to assist her. I turned and said, "If you would like, I would be happy to stay with you while your son gets the car." The woman smiled and replied "Oh that would be great, would you?" I approached and as I did she said to me "Where have you been? What have you been up to?" I was a bit taken back because she asked me these questions as if she knew me and we had not seen one another for some time. I said to her, grinning, "Oh I have been hanging around Boulder doing the usual and I just finished my radio show for the week. What have you been up to?" She told me she had been doing the same... "The usual around Boulder." For those of you that live in Boulder or are familiar with the area know "the usual" typically means something like hanging out in a coffee shop or a book store, spending time on Pearl Street, visiting favorite outdoor spots for sunning, playing with your dog, reading, walking, hiking, biking, etc., and generally just being out and about in the community for it is beautiful and embraces individuality and spirituality however that may take form.

As I stood with this woman, I suspected she was about 90, the age of my true heart, my grandma. As we chatted I fussed with her broach having noticed it was unclasped and likely to prick her neck sooner than later. She told me she was delighted I was there with her and shared she had recently collapsed twice, just passed out without warning, and she was afraid that if that was to happen again she would be there on the sidewalk all alone. I smiled and could feel my heart opening, sharing love with her. I replied, in a soothing voice, "Yes that would be frightening." She replied "I'm glad we can be together." I was too.

Her son arrived back just as our hearts had connected. I did not want to leave and I could tell nor did she. I bid her farewell letting her know I was delighted to see her and be with her for a moment. She then looked deeply into my eyes, right into my Soul and said "Where do I know you?" Her son said "Mom, she is just a kind person." She ignored him and continued to look at me with her intent, inquisitive gaze. I told her I was not sure but I am glad we got to see one another again and hope to see her again soon. I turned and stepped back over to my open car door and finished putting my things in. It was then I remembered meeting this lovely woman about 10 years ago.

My brother Shane was approaching the end of his physical life and had to spend several months at Mapleton Rehabilitation Center which, incidentally, sits tucked up against Mt. Sanitas. A very powerful mountain right inside the city limits of Boulder. Mapleton was the original Boulder Community Hospital and now houses their physical, occupational and speech therapy services. I was there a minimum of twice every day. They agreed to assist him during a 3 month period of dis-ease if I would care for his dialysis needs. As I made my daily sojourns to be with my bud, my brother, I began to notice that the entire floor was primarily elderly folks that had broken a hip or some bone and were in process of rehabilitating. A very different story from Shane's.

I felt called to visit every room to check in and see how each person was doing. Some had families that visited and some did not. The one's that did not welcomed the company of a smiling stranger. It was there I believe I met this lovely soul that I had just had the gift of standing with for a few moments. I turned and said to her son, "Excuse me, if you don't mind... was your Mom in Mapleton about 10 years ago with a broken hip?" He looked at me puzzled and said "Yes, she broke her hip and yes that is about the time frame." I replied "I believe that is where I first met your mom. My brother was there and I would visit her and we would chat and share time together." He looked at me strangely, wobbled his head and said "That was the time frame, yep about 10 years ago." He then turned and got in his car. I waved bye to his Mom wishing I could tell her "I remember." She had not stopped looking at me. She grinned from ear to ear as she returned the wave.

As I drove home, my heart was brimming over with love. I felt incredibly blessed and honored to have been available and willing to be in service to the same woman I had so many years before. I knew, without a doubt, God put me there at just the right moment to be the act of kindness she needed and the words of gratitude that filled both our hearts with joy. I also remembered we are all light beings connected by our Spirit's. We all know one another and we always have. All we have to do is reach out. Our hearts remember we are coded, deep within the DNA of our Soul's, to love. And when we remain open to the experience of love, God steps up and presents an opportunity to do so. I was miraculously reminded that when I give, it is me that receives.