Last week, I was on my way to Denver for a conference. Changing planes at O'Hare in Chicago, I made a detour as nature called. I gradually realized that the gentleman next to me in the restroom was trying desperately to hold it together, his face red from crying. As I was washing my hands next to him, I asked him if he was ok.
“Yeah, I'm fine,” he managed to say, obviously not fine. I started to walk away, but something made me stop and ask again what was going on and if I could do anything to help.
He looked up at me with red-rimmed eyes and said, “My daughter was just killed and raped.”
“My daughter was just killed and raped.”
I wasn't quite sure what to say. I don't know what I expected, but this was not it. I put my hand on his shoulder and just stood there for a moment, thinking of my own daughters and quietly grieving with this father who had just lost so much.
He went on, “I'm trying to stay strong, my other children need me, but I don't know if I can.”
I managed to say, “I can't imagine. I've got 5 kids of my own and couldn't imagine life without them. I'm so sorry for your loss; I wish there were something I could do or say to help.”
He nodded, pulled himself together, and said, “Thanks, I appreciate it.”
That was the last time I saw him, pulling himself together, wiping his eyes, taking a deep breath, squaring his shoulders, and heading back toward his family. There's a saying that goes, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” How true is that?
Always remember the most important things in life are not things. Give your loved ones an extra hug today, share this article with someone special to you, smile and do something to cheer up a stranger, and give people a little grace. You never know what they might be going through.
About the Author
Don Smith
Happily married with five kids, Smith owns a technology company, is the founder of this site, has served on the board of directors for multiple companies, and loves playing soccer, hiking, and mentoring.
It’s Lonely at the Top: Dealing with Isolation as a Leader
Have you ever felt isolated as a small business owner, CEO, or leader? If so, you're not alone. Half of the CEO's
How Social Media Teaches You Illusion Versus Truth
I live a pretty cool life. I circled the globe for a decade as a professional blogger. I post pictures of me
When death draws near, what will I regret?
A bull or bronc rider, a rancher working on the range, a fighter pilot, all these dreams and more I had as
One Only Gives What They Have
“Only the shallow man loses responsiveness to the woes of other's lives, as he sinks into narrow suffering of his own. The
What About the Rest of the Story?
My wife and I were talking about ourselves and other world travelers regarding the highs and lows of circling the globe. We
I Want You to Be Successful, But Don’t Settle for Money
I was at a conference yesterday, and Jason Young from Culturetopia said something that rang true to me. He said, “I want
I Don’t Know the Answer, But I’ll Find Out
I've got more than 50 letters behind my name from various certifications, have read thousands of books, earned national recognition for various
Ideas on How to Make Today Great
'We have only today. Let us begin.' Mother TeresaClick To Tweet 'Yesterday's the past, tomorrow's the future, but today is a gift.
Do You Marry Yourself to the Past?
A wise man once professed how he rarely thinks about the past because he has no use for it. Think that one
Where Are You Headed?
I drove from outside of Boston to Western Connecticut today. I snapped the below image in Massachusetts. I mapped the trip on
Are You in the Pen Pasture or Wilderness?
Walking goats here outside of Boston helped me create this little analogy between sheep, people and life. Pen Imagine being a sheep
Going through Life or Growing through Life?
I feel really good today because I grew quite a bit yesterday. As you may recall, I faced 4 separate experiences triggering