Fear makes strangers of people who would be friends.
—Shirley MacLaine
Many years ago I arrived at Grand Central Station in New York on my way home from college. All the freshmen at Colgate were obligated to greet everyone they met on campus. The habit was so ingrained that I started saying hello to all the people I passed in the station. I soon stopped because the more I said hello, the more people backed away from me.
The other day at the airport, I walked over to a child eating an enormous pretzel and playfully asked for a bite. Most children pull away and don’t want to share their treats with a stranger. But this little boy offered me a bite. I was touched by his generosity and love. I said, “No, that’s okay, you finish it.” He then walked over to his dad, who was looking out at departing planes, and tugged on his pant leg. When his dad looked down the boy said, “Do you have money for another pretzel?” I told his dad what had transpired and what a gift his son was.
Another time Bobbie and I were out biking and saw a neighbor’s dog tied to a tree about a mile from his home. I thought he had been tied up by someone who saw him roaming with a broken leash. As I approached him, he jumped up and started licking my face. I untied him and started toward his home. Just then his owner came out of the nearby dentist’s office and explained she had tied him there to keep him away from the dentist’s dog. She was surprised he accepted me and was going with me. I wasn’t surprised at all.
Children and animals often open themselves to those who care. Adults are the problem. We need to be like the children and animals and accept the greetings of those who offer them. Otherwise, how will we ever get to be one family?
Peace,
~ Bernie
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