Dear Reader,
I don't always know when I'm in the middle of a big moment. When I'm experiencing something that will forever change my life or someone else's.
When my son was over the other day, he was telling me about some news that a friend of his had shared with him. It was a traumatic situation, the kind of thing that would be embarrassing for most people to talk about, but then my son said to me, "Mom, I just listened. I was surprised at how well I reacted. But you know, I think when I came to you when I was a teenager and told you about--remember that big problem? You stayed calm, didn't yell, and you didn't look at me like I had disappointed you so much, that things would never be the same again. Remembering that moment helped me just listen to my friend."
Years ago, when I was headed home after a meeting, I noticed an elderly woman was walking towards the bus stop, so I offered her a ride home. When we got to her house, I helped her out of the car and I felt compelled to give her a hug. As she held on tight, she said, "It's been years since my husband died, since someone has hugged me." Who would have thought? How would I ever have known that this was a big moment?
The things I'm doing today. The words I'll say to someone tomorrow. Please, oh please, I want to remember they could be one of those big moments.
Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
* This month's Penguin Classics book is People from Bloomington by Budi Darma. I have a copy of the book to share with a lucky reader, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.
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