“We are not wise, and not very often kind.
And much can never be redeemed.
Still, life has some possibility left.”
Mary Oliver.
Have you ever said –
“Someone should do something about that.” Yes, but who?
“Well, someday of course.” But when?
Sunday. Today’s the day.
In fact, every day is the day to right that wrong, help somebody in need, stand up and be counted.
I have been thinking about those things that this week I should have stood up for, could have stood up for and did stand up for.
First, I did nothing when I saw a man ill-treating his dog. I should have called out to him, but I didn’t. Oh yes, he was probably twice my size. Tall, well over 6 ft and heavy. If I had to guess I would say well over 230 lbs. So I just turned and walked away. I hope somebody stronger than me called him out on it.
Then, I should have reported a well-dressed middle-aged woman who silently pocketed a tube of hand cream in the supermarket She didn’t look to be homeless and in need of food for her family, she just wanted the hand cream I could have spoken to a member of staff and quietly walked away. But I didn’t.
And then I did help the old lady when she slipped off the pavement trailing her shopping trolley with her. After helping her to her feet, I then picked up the grocery shopping. Oh, a schoolboy helped and another checked whether she needed or wanted an ambulance. Those two boys in their readily identifiable school uniforms not only got a big thank you from the elderly lady (no the other one, not me) but I made a point of calling the school to report the kindness. All too often these days we hear complaints about the young and these were two who acted as we would like to think they all would.
And Sunday. Nothing much to say about today. A lovely warm winter’s day. The sun is shining. I had coffee this morning with my daughter and No. 4 Grandson. He had come home to help his Granma. On the advice of a physiotherapist, I purchased a stepper to help my balance. However, once Grandson No 3 (who was home last weekend) had helped his mother assemble the contraption, we all agreed that I was not going to be able to use it. So it had to be returned and Grandson No 3 was here today to dismantle it and pack it to send back.
So, from a quiet Sunday here in Wellington, that’s all I have to say. Except (and yes there is always an except) my family are all in agreement that I m not allowed to buy anything on the internet without discussing it with them first. What’s a woman to do!
“You can have the other words-chance, luck, coincidence, serendipity.
I’ll take grace. I don’t know what it is exactly, but I’ll take it.”
Mary Oliver

I am sure I wouldn’t have stopped that man either. Though I probably would have been more frightened of the dog.
I hope the school were pleased when you reported the good boys. School kids get such a bad press generally
Great grandsons.
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Thanks Basia. The school administrator was delighted with my call. I didn’t have names so I hope he worked out who the boys were.
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Reblogged this on I choose how I will spend the rest of my life.
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Ok.
I HAVE to know.
What inappropriate stuff have you been buying?
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Well Granny. That would be telling…
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When my daughter was little she would often ask if we could go to the park. I was busy so I would say, not today, sweetie but someday. Apparently, she thought I said Sunday and was disappointed when Sunday came around and we didn’t go to the park. She told me this later, when she was an adult. Happy Sunday my friend. We can`’t fix everything.
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But we can fix those small things and make a difference in someone’s life, good or bad.
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I have regretted not acting when I saw something that was distressing. I saw a man slap a woman. I was with a boyfriend and he urged me to keep walking. The combatants were both in a sorry state but next time I would call the police or something. This happened too many years ago, but I’m still bothered by it. It feels good to take action. It’s a fine line between being heroic and meddling. Sometimes you just have to trust your instincts. I’m glad you praised the boys. Super heros in the making.
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Isn’t it amazing how those regretted things stay with us for so long. Safe driving friend.
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Ah Donna sometimes I think too of something I witnessed and did nothing about..damn..
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Why couldn’t you use the stepper? Maybe a gym nearby has one, and they could help you learn to use it.
Love the Mary Oliver quotes!
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The stepper was quite flimsy and we all agreed it had to go back. It has now gone back.
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You always choose the best quotes! I think most of us have regrets for our own versions of your tale. There’s much to be said for the courage to act. Too often, I lack it in the moment when I need it.
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But there was no courage in my week. And too often we regret what we didn’t do or could have/should have done. We are only human and when stepping in we must be aware of our own fragility. . It would have been crazy for me to take on the man with the dog.
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Yes, I have regretted not speaking out and have ordered some things online that I had to send back! Not telling what I regretted or what I had to send back. At least you were trying!
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And me just have to do the very best we can.
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I like this post; it’s a kick up the backside for me to do more to help others where I can — and not to just pass on by
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Thanks, John. We can always see ways to help others.
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Yes well we just have to do what we can and when we can
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