Faces on Faith: Small things
I have found inspiration in this piece entitled “When This is Over” by Laura Kelly Fanucci:
When this is over, may we never again take for granted
A handshake with a stranger
Full shelves at the store
Conversations with neighbors
A crowded theater
Friday night out
The taste of communion
A routine checkup
The school rush each morning
Coffee with a friend
The stadium roaring
Each deep breath
A boring Tuesday
Life itself.
When this ends
may we find
that we have become
more like the people
we wanted to be
we were called to be
we hoped to be
and may we stay
that way — better
for each other
because of the worst.
We sometimes overlook or take the little things for granted. This pandemic has made us aware of the significance of something as simple as a hug from a grandchild or friend. It has reminded us of the power of kindness, even small acts of kindness, to break through fear, loneliness and isolation. It has testified to the power of individual sacrifices — like wearing a mask — for the sake of the community.
A group of “vaccine appointment angels” at St. Michael and All Angels recently registered its 200th person for a vaccine appointment. This effort started when a single person heard that there were people who were struggling to get an appointment and said “I can help with that.” Soon, others joined her. The effort expanded from helping parishioners to assisting anyone who needed help.
I have read some of the thank you notes and cards that have been sent by the people who received assistance securing an appointment. They reported feeling alone in their struggle and talked about how much it meant to know that a stranger cared.
There will be good things that come out of our time spent in this pandemic. Perhaps some of them will be a reminder of the power of little things like a hug, the importance of small acts of kindness toward our neighbor and not taking the ordinary things of life for granted.
The Rev. William “Bill” Van Oss is the rector at Saint Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church.