Heart Strings

While our family was out at dinner tonight, my father had several calls during which he was informed his eldest brother had unexpectedly passed away. My aunt had first called my mom with the final report, so when his younger brother called, he got up from the table to stand by the window in the restaurant. My sister-in-law told my soon-to-be 6 yr old niece that grandpa's brother had died. Without being told, without saying a word, she got up and went over to where he was standing with his phone, and put her arms around him. She continued to stand with him until he was finished with the call, and as we all gathered our things, she stayed behind & walked out with him. That simple, unabashed gesture of comfort and strength was one of the most awe-inspiring things I've witnessed in awhile. If only we all had the assurance to reach out and do what is needed, without fear of rejection or reproach.