YESTERDAY VS. TODAY

I was so busy living a full and demanding life, that I rarely
had enough free time to be readily available to someone in need.
It is not that I did not care, I was just caught up in my own life
and did not fully understand the needs of others, or what I could
possibly do that would have made a difference. Yet, there were people
in need. I may not have known them personally, and they may not have
impacted my life directly, but they were there. They were always there.
It seems now that I should have been able to feel their presense, feel
their unhappiness, feel their need for love and understanding. There are
those that knew me that would say I cared so much. That I did display
these feelings, but when I look back, I know I never went far enough
out of my way. I never walked the extra mile. I never truely understood
the importance of reaching out a hand to those in need.

Today:

I understand the importance of need, but I did not learn about need until
I experienced need myself.
I did not understand the importance of empathy and validation until I
needed them myself.
I did not understand the importance of unconditional love until I needed it
myself.
I did not realize the importance of loyal friendship, until I needed it
myself.
I did not understand the importance of love and support from family until
I needed it myself.
I did not understand the need for support from fellow man, until I needed
it myself.
I did not understand the needs and rights of the disabled until I became
disabled myself.

Yes, there are many many more differences in yesterday and today, but these
are the most important ones that I see in myself. Although yesterday may
have been easier, I certainly cannot say that it was more worthwhile.

by: Debbie Wilson
6-2-96