King's Daughter's Kitchen

Most everyone who meets me says, “She’s such a sweet lady.” I try to be kind. I know what it feels like to be hated, ignored, wounded, and treated like I don’t exist. People do it to each other all the time. When was the last time you got in an elevator and stared at the buttons instead of speaking?

When I wear grubbies to Wal-Mart, no one pays attention. When I went back yesterday, an elderly woman who obviously needed the motorized cart more than I did tried to give it to me. I wore a dress and had my hair up. People helped me to find the Brach’s pumpkin candies I was looking for. Others said, “Excuse me, Ma’am.”

Some were the same people who ignored me the day before.

I am treated with the kindness and respect NOW that I have deserved all my life. Now I have pink leg braces, pink hearing aids, a bright red walker, and turquoise and yellow glasses for my cerebral palsy. People can’t help but notice that I am differently abled. The colors of my helping tools are truly a happy revolt against the old life in a box where I used to live. They bring me joy.

The same help and respect I get is due to every person. It doesn’t usually physically hurt to help another person. It might be unpleasant, unfamiliar, scary, or odd.

Let’s say that for one week we wear giant tags of our greatest need in public. We notice and help more people. We stop selfish. Tags say: exhausted, stressed out, lonely, starving, in pain, haven’t laughed in a month, 8 children to clothe, nagging boss, etc. Everyone has a need tag. Everyone is a people. Why not try nice? We all deserve it because we are human.