A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
This morning on my walk…as I was trying to find some balance and perspective
between love and a world filled with cruelty…
memories of two dear old friends (as if they knew I needed it) took the walk with me.
When I decided to have my Autistic students deliver Meals on Wheels
to show them how exciting giving could be…
The Meals on Wheels people paired us up with an elderly couple…
Their names were Phil and Lee.
At that time Phil and Lee were in their 80’s…but their enthusiasm had a universal appeal.
They taught me a great deal about love in the years we delivered Meals.
We had been delivering Meals for a few years when, on my answering machine
after two months in the mountains of NC.
the message said Phil had surgery while we were gone…the message was from Lee.
“They found cancer in his leg.” she said. I could hear fear in the voice of this loving wife….
“They had to amputate.” She said, “in order to save his life.”
I immediately I dropped everything…knowing I needed to drive
to the hospital where I found a shaken Lee and a one-legged Phil…still happy to be alive.
Phil smiled at me as I entered his room then with Lee also by his side
the three of us talked, and laughed together…occasionally Lee cried.
When visiting hours were over….Lee stood up wiping away a few tears
then leaned over to kiss Phil…her husband…her partner of 60 years.
But Phil had trouble leaning up and Lee was unsteady on her feet
So with my two arms I gently pushed their heads together…allowing their lips to meet.
Lee leaned her head on my shoulder as we walked arm in arm to her car
She said “You know Jim, sometimes in life we forget just how fortunate we are.”
“We worry about so many things as each new day arrives..
but the only thing that matters to me today is that Phil is still alive.”
She smiled when we reached her car, thanked me and gave my cheek a kiss.
It’s been years since that beautiful moment…they’re both gone now…
and there is much about the two of them I miss.
But it’s nice to know those times I get consumed by sadness…when life is cruel and unfair…
when I need help with my balance and perspective…Phil and Lee will always be there.
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