How Do We Change the World?

Last week after the earthquake in Nepal, I asked people to comment about the ways in which they had helped others recently. Later in the week, the news was filled with many more happenings in which help was clearly needed, in Baltimore, New York, Philadelphia, and elsewhere. Sometimes it gets a bit overwhelming to hear about such sad and tragic circumstances, and at times it can feel like there isn't anything meaningful that an individual can do, and yet...

Mary helped last week at the nursing home (and I'm fairly certain she does this on a regular basis); one woman needed reassurance that her half double crochets were still half double and another needed help with finding her lost knitting needle in her handbag. Carole donates regularly to Doctors Without Borders, and while on vacation in Mexico she befriended 2 young women from Amsterdam who were staying at their hotel. She and Dale gave them a ride to the grocery store, and helped them with advice on where to go and what to see. Carole pointed out that helping is a two-way street; she and Dale were also beneficiaries because they made new friends.

So thank you to Mary and Carole for giving me hope with some lovely examples that show help is happening all around us. I'll be mailing your yarny prizes out to both of you tomorrow! The ways in which we help others may be unsung, but they are never unimportant.