Leaving the local post office a mother with two young children were ahead of me. The mother had her younger daughter in her arms. The older girl about 4 trailed behind. She was big enough to keep the door opened for herself. When she saw me, she kept holding the door open for me. I smiled and said “Thank you young lady. You are kind to hold that for me.” Her mother looking back smiled and was proud when she saw what her older child was doing. I was slow and using a crane.

For the past several months I have had to use a cane due to issues of balance and aging. During that time I have discovered the goodness in people again. From small acts of holding open door, waiting no longer in hurry, carrying bundles of plastic bags to recycle bend across a parking lot, to a friend bending down to tie the loose shoe lace in the midst of a crowd.

These small act of kindness reminded me of what Thomas Merton wrote in his spiritual autobiography. Looking back he said he saw God in the goodness of the many small acts of kindness. So I have loss my sense of balance but have gained better balance about how I see others. No longer is it possible to divide people between “us and them.” Through the many small acts of kindness, I have seen God in others.

Don Dixon

Tullahoma