When to Compromise Kindness?

A few days ago, I went for a run in my neighborhood. The skies were overcast, the wind was blowing in such way that left no doubt rain was coming, but as a dear old friend in Ireland once taught me, “Rain won’t hurt you.” In those beautiful lands, if you don’t learn to play in the rain, you don’t get to go outside much. So off I went, eager for the alone time that is so difficult to come by in the age of COVID-19. The clouds were sprinkling when I set out, but midway through my route, they converted to a full-on downpour. In no time I was soaked. But happy. The coolness felt nice on my hot skin, the fresh air smelled clean and organic, and the weather ensured the solitude I sought. I ran, and I ran, and I ran… until my shoelace became untied.

As I stopped to re-tie it, a car pulled up beside me. The woman inside rolled down her window and offered to give me a ride. “I’m okay, thank you!” I waved, and then we shared a laugh of comradery as I declared, “I’m escaping my children!”

She returned the wave and drove on, and I resumed running, struck by her kindness. Humbled by the generosity of her gesture. Even in the best of times, who wants a soaking wet stranger in her car? And these are anything but the best of times. After months of suspicious glares from randomly encountered social isolators, including the ones in my neighborhood, it was such a breath of fresh air to have someone reach out with kindness. Don’t mistake me, I appreciate those practicing social isolation. As a physician, I’ve depended on it. Nevertheless, this woman won my heart. Despite not know me, she thought I might need help. Despite understanding the risk I might pose, she was willing to invite me into her six-foot space of safety. She did some human math and decided that helping me was worth the risk. What an incredible act of generosity.

Social distancing is important, but so is kindness. So is remembering that we belong to one another. Afterall, doesn’t Love always entail risk in some form or another?

I returned home re-energized, body, mind, and soul. I was ready to take on my young children and our day in quarantine, and I was galvanized for mankind’s fate in the wake of this pandemic. COVID can threaten so much in our lives: our health, our financial security, our sanity. And yet there are some things it cannot conquer. The world remains kind, and it shines through even the rain.

Originally published at https://facingmonsters.com on May 1, 2020.