I follow a local Facebook page that focuses on our community’s local history. It’s filled with amazing photos, stories, facts and memories. I read one about a woman during the depression who lived near the train tracks. She would have coffee and sandwiches on hand for hobos. This opened up a thread of so many in our community, including my grandmother who ensured there was food to hand out when they would come to the back door.
My husband tells me one man who drops off deliveries at our house and always leave a dog treat on the top of the box for Lulu.
And what about all those porch drop offs of food and little pick-me-up gifts during the pandemic?
The Latin meaning for compassion is “co-suffering.” We relate to another’s situation and sympathize with them. We are moved to help and do what we can to relieve suffering. It involves kindness and mercy.
I value compassion deeply and love to see it expressed. The other day when we stopped down at L’Auberge de France, a little French restaurant downtown, they had a bowl of water outside for thirsty dogs
On my bike ride home there is this bin outside of a house:
There is an international movement called “Compassionate Communities”. In Canada it is led by Pallium and you can read about it here: https://www.pallium.ca/compassionate-communities/
Wouldn’t it be great to create a culture that values compassion? That teaches our children the importance of considering others and showing kindness to all living things, including animals? What if we honoured our weak and vulnerable, protecting them and doing what we can to help? Something as simple as putting water out for the local dogs?
Maybe we can avoid in the future, such tragedies as the loss of 215 little children, pulled from their homes and families.
I want to acknowledge those in our community who show kindness and compassion. If I hear or see something I will #QuinteCompassion and celebrate it! I encourage you to join me or let me know and I will give them a shoutout.
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