TOM

I was in my office at work today when I received a page.  A man was sitting in the lobby. He had lost his wife this past Saturday. They asked if I could speak with him. Of course, I said I would be right out. He was a tall thin man sitting there in worn fatigues and an old baseball cap. He smiled and said his name was Tom. I expected a severely distraught person. He had just lost his wife two days before.

He thanked me for meeting with him. His mood was peaceful. He spoke about God and how he understood that his wife was in a better place. We talked for over two hours about his life and how he helped his wife through her disability. He was a very humble, I will say it again, a peaceful man. As he spoke I thought about what I would be going through if my wife suddenly passed away. He said he found her in bed Saturday morning. He tried to wake her. Thinking she was deeply sleeping, he went outside to warm the car up for her appointment. He came back in and tried again.

It was then that he realized he lost her. I don’t know if I could be as peaceful and understanding. He did say that he has had moments of sadness and tears, but his belief in God has helped him pull through. I learned long ago that each moment, each conversation carries with it a rich history. These conversations happen for a reason. In the moment all we can do is be fully present and absorb not only the information, but the atmosphere for which it is being presented in. it is this mindful moment that creates a deep picture in our memory, so that later we can call up these moments when needed.

I thanked Tom, he hugged me, and that hug felt warm and genuine. I could feel the love he had for his wife in that hug. I am grateful for the ability and courage to have these conversations with others. It causes my heart and soul to grow. At one point in our talk a tear welled up in my eye. I held it back. Tom had no tears in the moment. I believe he will have some m=now and again. May I find such grace and love in moments such as these.