A Black Dot on White Paper

As a society, we have become heartless.

Homeless people who are living in tents bothered us. “They are too close,” we say, and grumble about a woman who sleeps in her car, and who has chosen our safe subdivision to do so.

The Goodness, we don’t hear about

As of today, 143,895 families and individuals have offered to take Ukraine refugees in, all together they have 327,844 beds available. All of them are private citizens mainly from Germany but also from neighboring countries, willing and eager to open their homes to Ukrainian (and Russian) refugees without hesitation.

Let it Go

I just spent virtually 1 minute and 38 seconds in a bomb shelter in Ukraine. Tears are running down my cheeks listening to the song from the Disney movie ‘Frozen’.

All in, Please

Why isn’t this sign in every lady’s room?

The original “Ask for Angela” campaign started in 2016 in England and is known here in the U.S. as The Angel Shot. The way it works is simple if a customer asks for an Angela or an Angel Shot they feel unsafe in some way. The staff can respond by helping them to leave the place safely, or even by removing another customer who is making the person feel uncomfortable.

Excuse Me, Can I take this?

We spend the biggest part of Sunday in the car, driving through the neighborhood. We had noticed people were pulling out the trashcans for Monday already. Like most people, we had picked up things on the street before, but we never intentionally went out to go garbage shopping. We were hoping to find a dining chair, or maybe we would get really lucky and someone would throw an old table away.

A Good People Born or Made

In many ways, I live in luxury. A great luxury for me is to be able to choose the people around me. I don’t have to deal with everyone who gets put in front of my nose. I spend time with most people because I want it that way.

How Are We Doing?

The man working window eleven 
at the DMV wears his name around his neck 
like a medal won in a war
he never signed up for. Even from here, 

Tomorrow We’ll Say Goodbye

This is not my first rodeo, nor will it be the last, but perhaps one of the hardest. After seventeen years, we will go for a ride to the Veterinarians’ office tomorrow, and we will come back home alone. My friend, the wonderful, crazy, mischievous, loyal, breakout artist, will not be with us anymore, and just thinking about it hurts. The pain only love can create. I can feel tears building up, and quickly I remind myself how lucky we have been to have him for so long.

Why don’t we get it?

no one leaves home unless
home is the mouth of a shark
you only run for the border
when you see the whole city running as well

Are we peaceful by nature? Are we basically good?

A blogger I have never met and hardly know, made me cry. Silent, happy tears rolled down my cheeks. My heart was overflowing with gratitude, my mind puzzled by the kindness of a stranger. Sometimes it’s not just the gift itself, but the thought that counts.