Have you ever wondered where all the people you see everyday come from? How did they get here and why are they here? Those people at the grocery store, the hardware, the doctor's office, the ones you pass in their cars. Where did they come from? And why are they in that particular place at that particular time? WOW! As of 2012, there were 7.05 billion people on the earth. (I know that's right because i just googled it and if Google says it, I believe it...so there.) But what are all these 7.05 billion people doing here....and there?
The older and wiser I get, the more I question the things around me. Now at my wise old age I am seeing answers that I never saw before. I tell my two precious daughters all the time, "I'm 50 plus years old. I don't know everything but I DO know some stuff." And I do. I know how to do lots of things, I know how to make lots of things, I know when not to do lots of things, I know what consequences wait for some of the things I do, and just loads of other stuff. We all do. But what are those 7.05 billion people doing here? Isn't that too many people for our tiny earth to sustain? Isn't that a lot of weight for the earth to hold up?
I guess I could sit around all day and all night for a long time and ask stupid questions but this question about all these people got to me today.
I was driving home around midday from Durham. My dear, precious friend was scheduled for surgery today but the procedure was cancelled this morning and I decided to come home and just go back when it is rescheduled. Now traffic wasn't really bad and, as a matter of fact, I was surprised at how little traffic there was in Durham. I mean you have this major hospital and stuff and I was just expecting a tremendous amount of traffic and chaos. Nope....very calm and easy driving from my hotel to the hospital this morning. It was very calm last night around 8:30 when Frank and I hit one of the major Durham hot spots.....(That would have been the Cracker Barrel next to the hotel.)
Of course I didn't know anyone there except for my friends but I had the opportunity to come in contact with three people who I still can't get off my mind.
After checking into my room, I talked with Frank at the hospital and decided to take the shuttle over and ride back with him. I had to go to the desk and sign in for said shuttle. They were real busy and the guy at the desk was on the phone and helping someone else. While I was waiting, this lady came in. It was extremely obvious that she was stressed and anxious. She couldn't find her room. She said they pointed her in one direction and the room number wasn't there. She needed a cart and there were none available. Her husband was disabled and couldn't walk far. She reminded me so much of my dad's youngest sister. I guess that is why I was so drawn to her and her troubles. When I got finished signing for the shuttle, I went outside and looked for her. By this time this dear sweet lady was in tears. I hugged her and told her I had 30 minutes to spare and I WAS going to help her. I found her room and had her get in her car and follow me around to where it was. (Another car almost got the handicapped spot I had found for them and I was about to lay down in it. Those of you who know me, know I would have.) I unloaded her car, helped her hubby get in with his walker and hung up her clothes. By this time they were both smiling and less stressed. I then asked what else they needed and said goodbye.
Next, There was this lady sitting waiting for the shuttle with me (or so I thought). I was pooped so I sat down and spoke to her (this is what a true southerner does) and she began to talk...and talk...and talk...and talk. Bless. She had so much to say about her poor husband. He is in the VA right across from Duke going through yet another series of chemo treatments. He has had a stroke and now they have discovered that his cancer has spread. According to her, they believe all his problems come from his time spent in Vietnam and the contact he had with, yes, "Agent Orange". Bless her heart. She was so sad and appeared so worried which I guess any of us would be. Of course I had no words....Just I'm sorry. So, I just sat and look her in the eyes and listened and silently prayed for her and her precious husband. I wish I had had a cake. Cake is always good to share when someone is sad. There should always be cake...Note to self......take cake back to Durham.....
I don't share these three people for any reason except to say that God, in his infinite wisdom, put me (one of the 7.05 billion) there for a reason. That couple really truly needed help. She would have been a basket case. That lady at the shuttle stop needed to vent or she may have exploded. I really thought she was there to get on the shuttle with me. When it came, I asked if she was ready and she said, "Oh no, I'm not going. I just came out of my room to get some air." Hmmmmm...I wonder. Maybe I was put there because I needed to experience her sadness with her. To see what others go through on a daily basis that I can even begin to comprehend. Maybe I needed to see how a good wife cares for her disabled spouse when away from home. Maybe God had major lessons for me with these three strangers. Maybe this is why they are are still heavily on my mind and in my heart.
Please pray for my dear friend, Linda, and her husband, Frank, as they wait to see what happens next. And pray for my stranger friends.....My God is amazing. I never cease to be amazed.
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