During my walk this morning I was preoccupied with thoughts…sorrow over the sudden recent death of my aunt (my Mom’s delightful younger sister who, at age 86, passed away yesterday—like my mother, my aunt has Alzheimer’s but sadly Auntie would get very confused and panicky and couldn’t take it any more so she stopped eating), memories of those sisters singing and laughing together (and that led to other pleasant memories for me), and, somber contemplation of what was happening to my aging parents.

How much time would I have left with them?

I was jolted out of my rather serious reverie by a sweet elderly couple that was placing their recycling bins at the end of their driveway when I approached. With smiles and laughter they acknowledged me (as if I was a long lost friend) and joked about how they didn’t have their bathing suits on to take advantage of all the water that’s piling up on some properties…including theirs (we’ve had A LOT of rain lately instead of snow)!

We chatted for a bit and as I continued on my walk I realized I now had a huge smile on my face…and I couldn’t help it! And it was wonderful.

Here was a couple more concerned about making a connection with another human being rather than living in fear of their house possibly flooding.

I can learn from that.

Despite setbacks and hardships we can always choose to live with hope…and reach out to others with warmth.

Melanie Hack
Author of Who Killed My Sister, My friend
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