Beyond the facade

You must have been a beautiful baby

the song plays quietly in the background of my mind

I hum along and wonder,

well, aren’t they all when you think about it?

When it comes down to a heart beating

and the miracle of cells dividing

multiplying

creating something so unique,

and why is it only

babies that can be beautiful

for when we see the dirty unkempt homeless man

or the woman with the missing limb,

what changes in the mind to see

anything less than the beauty that lies within?

Why does the judgement happen

for the way a person looks or seems

as if through fault of their making

as sickness ravages and shades of red welts rise,

turned to purple and the swelling overwhelms,

yet the eyes that gaze into yours

relay the kindness and love felt from within

and the tears fall from a simple acceptance

the glow begins to form around the soul.

I’ve heard upon view of a not so pretty child,

must have been hit by the ugly stick a time or two…

childhood taunts come back to my mind

and I am thankful for the passage of time

that allowed my soul to grow into understanding,

when faced with a view that invokes stares,

I feel compelled to hold out my hand

and with a smile simply say,

I can only help you find what you seek,

but it can’t change much

for you are already beautiful enough.

A middle-aged woman came into work the other day searching for a few items, her head bulged from beneath her scarf, a large purple addition of her head which was pressing down and almost engulfing her eyes. I think years ago I would have stared with mouth agape not knowing what to say, but am thankful for the years of life lessons which have left me with a loving and understanding heart.  I held out my hand to her as she said she could barely see, her husband standing quietly at the front of the store, allowing her to come with me as I guided her around answering any questions and finding what it was she requested. At check out she started crying and thanked me for not making her feel like a monster, for smiling and making her laugh and that now she would feel more comfortable going out into the world again. I asked if her sight would come back, she replied yes, after all the non-stop infections stopped. I gave her a blessings, squeezed her hand and as she left, thanked the big guy above for teaching me tolerance and love. She must have been a beautiful baby, for they all are, even grown up.