Compassion

Wednesday Wisdom~  Little did I know on Monday afternoon when I posted the Pork Bites recipe, thinking that my day had been a long one, that it wouldn't end until 2am Tuesday morning.  A minor scare sent me to the ER just to make sure everything was good with me and baby #4.  I have been in a number of emergency rooms in multiple states over the past ten years, and I have never seen one this full.  I knew right when I walked in, I wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.  Thankfully, my multiple trips to the hospital with little boy #1 has taught me how to pack a bag, and I had plenty to keep myself busy.  It was extremely helpful that I felt pretty good too...not really the case for most people sitting in an emergency room late at night.   I went by myself and thought it the perfect time to have some "me-time."  The boys were back home in bed with my hubby keeping a watchful eye over them.  But...as is often the case, my plans didn't go quite as I intended, and I sat next to a woman who wanted to talk...for three hours straight.  Many thoughts crossed my mind, but two stuck out.  First, every one in that room needed a bit of compassion.  After all, an emergency room is never where someone really wishes they could be.  Second, I had the opportunity to extend some compassion because I wasn't feeling awful or in severe pain, and perhaps my willingness to converse would help keep this woman's mind from hers.  I was thankful to make it home early Tuesday morning with peace of mind, the ability to get a good rest for the remainder of the night, and I woke up to a week that continued right along schedule.  

If you have the opportunity today (or tomorrow since it is practically time to go to bed), take an extra moment to extend compassion to someone you see might need it.  If you are in need of compassion, I hope you experience it in a special way.

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