The Crying Spell

What do you do when you see someone crying?

You have only two choices.

Pretend that they are not disturbing your inner peace.

Engage and redirect their tears.

The pregnant lady bound in a wheelchair entered the elevator sobbing. As her tears were seen cascading down her high cheekbones, four adults, plus the hospital escort who stood behind her, ignored her outbursts.

I brushed my leg against the pregnant patient in this cramped compartment.

My anxiety soared so I touched her swollen hand.

“Is this your first child?” I whispered.

“Yes,” she answered in between her ominous outcries.

“It is going to be okay,” I reassure her. “What is your name?”

“Rita,” she sighed in staccato.

“Beautiful, Rita. Breathe in slowly. Breathe out slowly. Slow down. Breathe with me.”

I took her hands and repeated my mantra, “It is going to be okay.”

Rita’s breathing and crying spell slowed to a halt.

The young female hospital escort remained paralyzed in thought and action.

“I need to go now," I said as the elevator arrived at my destination. I turned around and saw Rita looking back at me with a soft smile.

I took a deep breath for Rita and all the Ritas who cry in public spaces.

What do you do when you see someone crying?

There is only one right answer.