It’s not about me

I posted this story earlier ‘tis day and i am so very thankful for the comments I got in support and sympathy.

“On my travel home from Scottsdale to Raton I stopped for gas in a small town, Heber. AZ. I held a scarf over my nose and mouth when I went in to use the restroom. When I came out I again covered my nose and mouth with the scarf. There was a customer checking out as I exited the restroom so I moved to the right to avoid coming close to him. He looked at me covering my face with distain. I looked away. I was passing behind him but only 4 “ because he had backed up. When I was barely passed him he turned and coughed loudly and harshly toward my back. I felt assaulted and really angry.
I knew better than to confront him. Why.
No I wasn’t shot. It’s not the same but it still was horrible.”

I appreciate those comments

HOWEVER. HOWEVER. my tiny fly by to prejudice and being harassed brought me to an understanding. I have to acknowledge as a 72 year old white woman with grey hair and a cane right now (soreness in hip) I guess I was surprised. (And to be perfectly honest I need to do some penance for the string of expletives I fired off when I got back in the car! ) It was because of me following the rules against exposing others and being exposed to the virus.

It is not about ‘me’ per say as an Attitude that this behavior is ok? Or any – any reason for disrespecting anyone because of life choices, or pigmentation, or religion, or…. whatever is perceived or judged by another.

Perhaps I should have titled this .. It’s not about me but it is it is about us. We are breaking the bond we have as independent interconnected human beings. When, in the midst of a deadly pandemic we should be strengthening and strengthened by our humanness.

It IS about how we treat or love or respect or honor one another.

Friends we can do better. So about 4O minutes later when I drove through Sonic I paid for the cheese fries the car behind me had ordered and I tipped the young girl who took my order more than I spent on my order. I was not going to let my heart be heartened.

Wash your hands,wear a mask, give others some space,

God abide with you,

Bobbie Giltz McGarey

@5/2020, Raton, NM

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