Beauty all around

Several months ago, I was broken-hearted at the news that a young mother had allegedly killed her daughters and then herself inside her Texas trailer.
That sadness was triggered again at the news that a celebrity wrestler had reportedly chosen to murder his wife and child and then end his own life.
These tragedies that pit family member against family member happen too frequently and I often wonder if anybody around the perpetrators had reached out to these troubled souls to offer help and hope.
Of course I don’t think anyone, even in their wildest imaginings, can fathom the darkness that has apparently overtaken these families as these situations unfold.
Hindsight is 20/20 and I want to think that people who might have had any inkling about such problems would have done all they could to prevent the loss of life.
One thing these incidents have done is help me remember that everyone, at one time or another, could use encouragement, a helping hand, a listening ear and, sometimes, a shoulder to cry on.
I’m trying to remember to take the time to say a kind word or perform a kind deed — without thought of repayment or praise. The urge to encourage and give aid is something that I believe came from my family — call it a generational blessing — a great family trait that has been passed down from one generation of my folks to another.
It’s easy to set all that aside especially as my days get busier and busier.
I was reminded of this as I walked along The Oklahoman’s walking trails the other day. I was power-walking and determined to get in several laps when a co-worker and I met up along the pathway.
She asked me if I had seen the beautiful swan.
Swan? What swan?
I looked over and just a few yards away did indeed sit a glorious swan.
I had seen plenty of geese as I walked and never noticed the swan among them.
I had been too busy, too focused on accomplishing yet another task in my busy day and had almost missed the majesty of the moment.
As I walked on I thought how blessed I was that someone pointed out the beautiful bird.
I promised myself I’d do the same for someone else: Point out the beauty, the small miracles that lift the spirit, even for a little while.
Who knows but that gesture may be just what they need to brighten a less than hopeful situation or circumstance?