It’s been just a week now since we had an on-campus tragedy.

One of our food service workers suffered an apparent heart attack at work and was pronounced DOA at the hospital. Needless to say, her co-workers took it hard but none harder than her husband and son who also work in the cafeteria. I cannot imagine the emotional challenge that such a thing would involve. Even if I could, it would not guarantee that I understand its effects on these particular ones.

While some cafeteria workers met with counselors or talked with each other, several other employees, including maintenance, administrators, office workers and faculty pitched in to help out. Some stood in the serving line and filled plates, others kept the tables wiped down, others refilled the containers on the salad bar. Some swept the floors and cleaned and others were simply there in case they were needed. On Friday, so that Janet’s friends and fellow laborers could attend the funeral, that scene was repeated.

None of that erased the ache of loss nor eased the pain of separation. But every bit of it showed caring and concern and a willingness to alter the routine of their lives in order to respond to the need in someone else’s. And it is that that is so very important, so very precious. Whether it is a co-worker who has collapsed on the job or a city that has collapsed halfway around the world, it is the raw eloquence of sincere actions that touches the hearts of others.

H. Arnett
2/9/10