I grabbed my purse and went back outside into the chilly winter air when my own number was called. The world was still full of the same structural problems and sufferings, and the wind was as cold as it had been when I first came. Despite having nothing but my own food in my hands, I had a hitherto unheard-of lightness in my chest.
We often believe that systemic changes, large-scale movements, or spectacular acts are necessary to change the world. Even if such things are essential, this evening made me realize that even in the quiet, intimate moments between strangers, the world may change. In the hands of a child who had no expectations, a Happy Meal and a toy—both of which are tiny—become the building blocks of a bridge that leads back to hope. Recognizing the “ache” in the person seated in the next booth and giving them a moment of grace can sometimes be the most crucial thing we can do. One heart at a time, they are the moments that subtly put the world back together so that nobody has to be completely alone, even on the coldest nights.
