Gina Heslop
Brooke Ochoa, like many of us, leads a busy life where time for oneself is rare. However, on this particular day, Brooke made the choice to connect with those around her. As she sat alone in a restaurant, she noticed an elderly lady named Delores walking towards the door. Brooke held the door for Delores, and the two shared a brief exchange of pleasantries before Brooke sat down to eat.
Despite the temptation to retreat into her phone or her own thoughts, Brooke made a conscious effort to remain present in her surroundings. She noticed Delores sitting alone at a nearby table and, after a moment of hesitation, approached her and asked if she would like to have lunch together. Delores was delighted by the invitation and revealed that she had been struggling with loneliness since the recent passing of her mother and the placement of her aunt in a nursing home.
Over the course of their meal, Brooke and Delores had a wonderful conversation. Delores was grateful for the opportunity to share her thoughts and feelings with someone who listened with empathy and kindness. Brooke, in turn, was touched by Delores’s warmth and generosity of spirit.
After their lunch, Brooke and Delores made plans to meet again the following Thursday. This simple act of kindness had a profound impact on both women, reminding them that there is beauty and joy to be found in connecting with others. Brooke’s decision to stretch herself and offer human warmth and conversation to a stranger had paid off in a way that neither she nor Delores could have predicted.
The story of Brooke and Delores serves as a reminder that every day, we have a choice. We can choose to retreat into our own world or to reach out to those around us. And while it may be tempting to stay closed off and safe, there is so much to be gained by opening ourselves up to the world and to other people. In doing so, we can find meaning, purpose, and joy in the most unexpected places.
