I think it all began when I was a child. I felt invisible. That is I just didn’t feel noticed. I was the youngest of the cousins and always left behind. I was too young to go to the bowling alleys. I couldn’t drive or hold a job. BEING INVISIBLE ISN’T BAD. As a matter of fact it may give you the edge to learn more.
I guess that I realized it when I was about 10 and sitting in the living room with my mom and dad. An old friend of my father’s stopped in for a visit. He and his wife were in the La Grange Park area and stopped in. My mother hadn’t met them before either, but my parents were very hospitable. I recall sitting on a stool near the picture window and quietly listening to the conversation. After awhile, I simply said “excuse me,” and got up to leave. The man said, “Yes, you are excused!” I was so shocked that he even heard me.
When I attended High School I was in a class of 1200 students. It is easy to feel invisible even though I was an active student and danced in the school musical. The first 2 years were at the Western Springs Campus and the last 2 in La Grange. It was like being a freshman twice getting readjusted to the new site. In all the years after high school, I have only met 3 people from there and only one was from my graduating class. Crazy ugh?
You know the feeling too. It is when you are standing in line at a counter in a department store and no one is there to serve you. Or you stop at an intersection and seemingly wait forever for your turn because others are hurried and not allowing you to take your turn. There are many times we feel invisible. I find that the case in doctors offices where you sit forever behind a closed door waiting for someone to arrive. Is it any wonder so many suffer from generalized anxiety and have problems. Next time I’ll take a puzzle with me.
So these words are from our newest Saint, Mother Teresa. “Do Small Things with Great Love!” She certainly made a mark on society and showed us how we can do small things and make people feel visible and relevant. I just love that idea. A simple smile, a call, a “hi” or holding the door for the next person may make them feel important.
May your day find mini miracles of recognition and love waiting for you.
“Delight in Living”