My path home took me through an elevated walkway. Below me were municipal storage units. With a single glance, I could smell and taste the dust and stale air inside. While I have never been inside, I knew what I would experience. My knowing was filled with endless, intense memories I shared with my father and others in similar places. There were multiple external reminders. The dusty open box had been carelessly left unattended. The tree that was thriving despite no planning, welcome, or nurturing touch. The sidewalk covers were slightly ajar. Then, there was a graffiti-like x-mark as an unexpected reminder of random tags across different settings.
Knowing brought awareness and understanding. I thought of other places that were no longer priorities. With the passing of time, the mandate for care was lost or abandoned. With nobody to actively care, dust slowly gathered. The realities of seeds left unattended had taken on a life of their own. With the full range of my senses, I could feel and understand the scene below me.
Knowing creates opportunities. If you had asked me to action what I saw, I would have closed the covers and levelled out the sidewalk. With a spirit of kindness and care, my priority would be safety. Everything after that would rest with those responsible for the use and care of the buildings. This scene took me to an old observation; “Every high priest selected to represent men and women before God and offer sacrifices for their sins should be able to deal gently with their failings since he knows what it’s like from his own experience.” (Hebrews 5.1, 2)
Knowing is an experienced-shaped call to action. I do not believe I am called to live anyone’s life other than my own. I can, with permission and a smile, freely share my experiences and insights. The permission does not come with a mandate on what follows. It is a story that echoes. Each is a gift wrapped in empathy and compassion.
Today is for living and being open along the journey with others.
