” I love this special poem for many reasons. It reminds me, we are all more alike than different. It also reminds me that we have the same needs, dreams, challenges, hopes, fears, and that we all have had losses, experienced pain and sorrow, have tasted joy, love, and we fear the uncertainty of life. 

I realize, deep in my heart, that fate has a lot to do with what happens to us, as well as resources, inborn traits, and environment. I want for others what I want for myself, my children, my friends.  I don’t do good to be rewarded by God. I do good because my childhood opened me up to what could happen to anyone.

Evil exists in life, but so does love, goodness, and human kindness. The kindness of others makes a difference in so many lives. Without kindness, the end results would have been different for those with few resources.

I know, without a doubt, I would not be who I am today without the kindness of others. Some people changed my life in a minute, others in a day, or longer, but they all enabled me to become a teacher, a counselor, an advocate for others, a good mother, wife, sister, friend, and neighbor.

We need kindness now as we struggle with morality, religion, politics, discrimination, lack of civility in society. Jesus knew this long ago when He summed up the whole purpose of life with the words, ‘love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ Kindness does matter.”         Yu/stan/kema

  IF I HAD KNOWN

If I had known what trouble you were bearing;

What griefs were in the silence of your face;

I would have been more gentle, and more caring,

And tried to give you gladness for a space.

I would have brought more warmth into the place,

   If I had known.

If I had known what thoughts despairing drew you;

(Why do we never try to understand?)

I would have lent a little friendship to you,

And slipped my hand within your hand,

And made your stay more pleasant in the land,

   If I had known.

 -MARY CAROLYN DAVIES-