I witnessed a profound personal interaction the other day, and I would like to share it with you now. (Names and minor details have been changed to protect those involved)

I was sitting at a local Cafe in a small village, enjoying the wonderful aroma and taste of my morning coffee, when I overheard a conversation at the next table.

A beautiful young woman (Susie) had approached the middle aged couple who sat at the next table, and she was telling the gentleman who she was and how she knew him.

It became apparent as the conversation unfolded, that the gentleman had been the tennis partner in a local competition over 10 years ago, of Susie’s younger sister (Jenny).  At that time Jenny was approximately 16 years old.  This was a small community and the tennis competition was a gathering place for young and old.

The middle aged gentlemen said that he remembered Jenny as they had played Doubles together for a few seasons.  Susie was sharing, how well Jenny was now doing with her life, and how the gentleman was instrumental in that success.  Apparently Jenny was troubled at 16, to such a degree that she had started acts of ‘self harm’ by cutting herself.  But the gentle acceptance, patience and inclusion demonstrated by her tennis partner had led Jenny to accept, be patient and inclusive of herself.

The middle aged gentleman had no idea how troubled Jenny had been, nor how he impacted her life.  Susie thanked him and walked away, as tears filled the gentlemans eyes.

This encounter reminded me of a great book – The Five_People_You_Meet_in_Heaven, by Mitch Albom.

It is a great read, that starts you thinking who has impacted your life.

AND, that you never know who may be affected by your attitude and behaviour….nor how profound that affect may be.

Peace and harmony to all

LoneWolf

Sydney rock fishing – getting ready