Fire, Tears, Vomit and Kittens.

I believe the greatest qualities of being Human are Compassion and Forgiveness.  Oh, and a Sense of Humor.  I'm in the news business.  Years ago I watched a woman vomit on my shoes as she randomly leaned over in front of me and cried and cried and screamed and threw up and cried some more (You know, all those things one does when their life is vaporizing before one's eyes) and I gazed at her family's home as it burned to the ground 200 hundred feet away. I was only there as a reporter, but you seldom get the luxury of just "being there".   This incredibly overwhelmed woman continued her outpouring and then I picked her up a bit (not heroically, just very awkwardly) and then She Hugged Me.  She said (and I will never forget), "I'm so sorry for throwing up on you."  I nonchalantly replied, "The chief will certainly hose off my shoes just as soon as they get all the fires put out."  She surprisingly chuckled, and then at that very moment a fireman walked up with their kitten, the only other living thing that was of concern at the time, as all the family of three had now escaped the very total destruction of non-living things.  All material things they knew at this juncture in their life were gone. This women had been in terror, vomiting and crying.  And now, she was Happy.  Her significant other and their tiny little charge were saved. Life is contrasts, and All endings aren't Happy.  I know. But most endings are a comma, on the way to another beginning, and then more commas, periods, tears, laughter and the very real opportunity to be there.  To be Here, and alive, in a million colors or black and white.  Hugs sometime come with snot and vomit and flames and kittens, tears and wishes, and our strength in how we Love in the smallest ways.  Or so it seems.  I always ramble, but anyone reading me do so...I am grateful.  Peace and Thank You