Musings & Threads. Small Gestures. — thehummingbirdpost.com

Sep 24

Sep 24 Musings & Threads. Small Gestures.

Community, Life Ramblings, Musings & Threads, Angela Rieck

Small Gestures

A special person died recently.

She was not a close friend. If she had to list the people in her life that she impacted, I would probably not make the list.

But I should.

She was a member of a weekly book group. A place that now feels like home.

The first time I arrived at the book club, I had just moved hundreds of miles away from the place that I called home for 35 years. After losing my husband, my career, a cherished home, my health and beloved pets, among other things, I was floundering. I had to build a new life in the depth of grief, with no road map. So, when I arrived, I avoided eye contact because I didn’t want anyone to see my brokenness.

But she looked up at me and gave me a welcoming smile. I sat next to her, feeling safe in that moment.

That was it, just a small gesture.

Grand gestures such as scientific and medical breakthroughs, inspired leadership, and chartable projects can improve our lives tremendously. Grand gestures are what moves us forward as a society.

But small gestures? Those are what makes us human.

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Angela Rieck

I WAS an executive of a large insurance company, a Ph.D. in Mathematical Psychology (go Terps!), a mother, a wife, a community leader, a volunteer, an animal rescuer, a friend and a philosopher. I used to be funny, smart, with a keen eye for the absurdities of life. But now I feel defined by what I have lost, my career, my husband (who died from cancer August 2015), my 35+ year life in Morristown, NJ, possessions (stolen), volunteer work, two of my beloved dogs, my parents, friends, but most of all, my purpose. What remains is an amazing 25 year old daughter and the daunting task of creating a new life. I am fortunate enough to spend time in Key West, FL and St. Michaels MD. While trying to understand these 2½ years of loss, I started to chronicle my feelings, thoughts and philosophies. I wrote to communicate, to understand, to reflect, to find a direction. People who read my posts said, “you are a writer,” so I am grasping onto this skill to find where it takes me. I am grateful for what remains, my daughter, my family, my friends, my husband’s family…and I will keep my promise to my husband to build on what is left. Thank you for allowing me to share this journey with you.