The Kindness of Example

"It is not so much the example of others we imitate as the reflection of ourselves in their eyes and the echo of ourselves in their words."
― Eric Hoffer
 

I ran into a woman I really like yesterday.  Although I don't know her very well, we have a special bond based on a volunteer job that we shared.  The mother of two boys, she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl nine months ago.  She was walking along some shops with the baby in her arms when we saw each other and stopped to chat.  She looked so happy and I remarked that she truly seemed to be enjoying her daughter.  "Yes!" she said as she looked at the baby whom she considered nothing less than a miracle.  (In fact, we used to call the baby "The Gift" because it seemed the perfect present after the rough time this woman encountered in the volunteer role.)  I spoke to the woman for a few minutes and when I left her, I found that I was happier than before.  There was something about how she was enjoying her life, the fleeting moments of motherhood, that both served as an example and touched my heart.

Seeing this woman yesterday reminded me of what I had learned from her -- grace and openness in the face of challenge.  Almost two years ago, she navigated a difficult volunteer responsibility with kindness and grace, and then when it was my turn to do the same job, she gave me gentle guidance and support.  I would frequently think of how she had managed this difficult role, and her example would inspire me to be just a bit better -- a little kinder -- than I was inclined to be.