There is a meditation practiced by Tibetan Buddhist monks that focuses the mind on gratitude and compassion. As you open yourself to others (giving and taking), you become most fully connected and human. Every morning as I walk to work I try to think of all those I should be compassionate towards, and then I list all the things I have to be grateful for. It’s a very long list.
Errol has taught us a lot of things. One of the most important lessons we’ve learned is how kind and generous people can be. Since his birth people have done many things for us, over and over.
Mowed our lawn
Brought us wonderful food
Folded our laundry
Given us money (a fund was set up for our medical expenses)
Brought us more food
Cleaned our kitchen (it needed it!)
Held baby Errol in the hospital (he was alone for about 15 minutes during his two plus months in the hospital)
Brought us movies to watch
Took us to dinner
Babysat (every night, a babysitter would stay with sleeping Owen so Jonathan could visit Errol and Cary in the hospital)
Hugged us
Washed our dishes
Prayed for us
Babysat again
Sent us presents in the mail
Listened
Brought us coffee
Left us treats on our porch
Learned about Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome
Cried with us
Bought us drinks
Took Owen to school
Wrote us notes
Brought us flowers
Thought about us
Played with Owen
Made Errol blankets, hats, and clothes
Took our dogs on walks
Visited us
Cooked us more dinner
Asked us questions
Held us in the light
I will never be able to pay back these many personal kindnesses, but I will try my best.
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