Angels in Our Midst

Every morning when I awaken, my morning prayers include a request to be kind to others. Having resided in the New York environs since 1986, by noon all bets are off. But it remains one of my daily aspirations. That, and to tell a joke a day. Unfortunately, much of my humor falls flat, so I am zero in the batting cage. As Good Ol' Winnie said - Never, Never, Never Give Up - so I give it a daily heave-ho and hope one evening I will have climbed the mountaintop.

But spending the winter in The Virgin Islands I witnessed it everyday. My cousins, Tish and Jerry, were always kind - to everyone. To their children, to their friends, to the interloper in their home (that would be me), to their employees, to the hardbodies at the Soggy Dollar, simply Always. Now, it is possible to put on a facade for a day or two but fairly soon the exterior breaks and one's inner self comes shining through. So, after a period of months, I am positive this is who they are.

This isn't so simple in the Islands. From the grocery store, to the post office, to the people repairing your home, there are constant opportunities to become a bit testy and what some people politely call, direct. Add dealing with employees on an Island of 300 and one has a boatload of possibilities to spring a leak. But I never saw it, not once.

I am not saying they are pushovers. They stand their ground and accomplish their goals with respect for others and an understanding of the complexities and differences in life. Rather than being "with me or against me", they understand the cultural differences, interact with all within their own framework and work towards accomplishing the task at hand without a harsh word or raised voice. While I am certain there are many times frustration must bubble beneath the surface, it never sees the light of day.

During Michael's illness, someone said to me to be aware of Angels in our midst. We experienced many acts of goodness during our battle, but I have never experienced true goodness as I have over the past few months. I am wondering where they stuff their wings.

We should send Tish and Jerry to the Mid-East. No doubt a solution would be close at hand.