A Life That Taught Us Light
I recently returned from the funeral of a former colleague—a man who, to many, may have been invisible. He had cerebral palsy and a lazy eye since birth, conditions that made him the target of cruel names and judgment throughout his life. He worked tirelessly in the mailroom of a company I once worked at, showing up for 25 years until he was laid off.
At his funeral, his brother spoke of their childhood—of both joys and unimaginable hardships. His sister-in-law shared the quiet pain of his lifetime search for a spouse, a companion, someone to see beyond his ailments and appearance. That search was never fulfilled.
And yet, despite what he lacked, this man gave endlessly. He exuded joy and encouragement, generosity with whatever possessions he had, and kindness with the time and effort he could offer.
As I sat there listening to stories of his life, I felt convicted. Convicted for my own lack of empathy at times. Sure, we exchanged kind words and laughs at the office, and the daily fist-bump when I walked by the mailroom. But convicted for not truly seeing him fully while he was alive, and not checking in after we both had moved on from the company (perhaps falsely thinking that social media would keep me informed if anything happened - it didn't; I didn't. And I thought of how often we—myself included—look past those who are struggling. Not out of malice, but out of self-absorption, busyness, or even discomfort.
Being 10 days until Christmas it even reminded me of Dickens’ Tiny Tim, a figure of light in a world that so often turns dark. And I realized the Scrooge that I sometimes become. This heaviness has stayed with me. But so too has a hope: to honor his legacy by helping others find light in the dust.
And that’s when a convicting, even scorching line from Charles Dickens returned to me:
“Oh! Let us hear the little insects on the leaf, complaining of too much life among their hungry brothers in the dust!”
The Insects on the Leaf
Dickens’ image of the “insect on the leaf” rings true in our world today. Many of us are fortunate. We sit, metaphorically, on the leaf—enjoying relative comfort, health, or security. Yet, all around us, there are “hungry brothers in the dust”—people struggling in ways we don’t always see:
• The invisible workers who keep our world turning but are rarely recognized.
• The lonely neighbors longing for connection.
• Families battling hunger, war, or displacement.
This isn’t about guilt. It’s about awareness—an invitation to look around and step forward with empathy, care, and action.
Practical Steps We Can Take Together
None of us can change the whole world, but together we can bring light to the corners of it. Here are ways we can listen, act, and help:
1. Giving Our Time
• Volunteering Locally: Let’s explore ways to give time at food banks, shelters, or soup kitchens. Local organizations like Feeding America or The Salvation Army are always looking for helping hands, especially during the holidays.
• Visiting Nursing Homes or Hospitals: Sometimes, the simplest act—sitting, listening, or sharing stories—can make someone feel seen.
• Supporting Disability Organizations: Groups like United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) and Easterseals do important work. Whether we volunteer, advocate, or donate, we can help make life a little easier for people living with disabilities.
2. Sharing Our Resources
• Donating What We Have: Let’s look around our homes and lives. Could we share warm coats, extra groceries, or unused items with someone who needs them? Many local shelters or food drives welcome these gifts.
• Contributing Financially: Even small donations can have a big impact. Organizations like Feeding America, World Central Kitchen, and Doctors Without Borders are doing life-changing work, and we can be part of it.
• Supporting Housing Initiatives: Groups like Habitat for Humanity or Coalition for the Homeless help people find safe shelter. Supporting these efforts—through funds, advocacy, or hands-on building—can change lives.
3. Reaching Out to Those Around Us
• Listening and Connecting: We can pause to ask ourselves: Who in our circles might be struggling silently? A colleague, a neighbor, a family member? A kind word, a phone call, or an invitation to share a meal can bring unexpected comfort.
• Being Inclusive: Whether at work, school, or gatherings, let’s be mindful of the people who may feel left out. Small gestures—like offering a seat at the table or remembering someone’s name—can bridge unseen gaps.
4. Using Our Work for Good
• Partnering with Nonprofits: If we’re business owners or professionals, we can look for ways to align our work with causes that matter—whether through donations, sponsorships, or mentorship programs. Local nonprofits are often eager for partners.
• Creating Opportunities: Inclusive hiring practices can open doors for people who face barriers to employment, like individuals with disabilities or veterans. Organizations like Goodwill Industries and Hire Heroes USA can help us make this a reality.
• Sharing Our Skills: Many of us have expertise—whether in writing, marketing, teaching, or building—that we can share with underserved communities. Programs like Taproot Foundation make it easy to volunteer skills that make a difference.
5. Raising Awareness Together
• Sharing Stories and Conversations: Dickens’ words and this artwork remind us that stories inspire change. Let’s share posts, images, or conversations that bring attention to those in the dust.
• Advocating for Change: Supporting policies or systems that create opportunity and security for everyone.
Small Steps, Shared Impact
The colleague I mourned didn’t have much by worldly standards. Yet he gave endlessly. His life reminds us that generosity isn’t about having abundance—it’s about willingness.
• A warm meal for someone on a cold day.
• A listening ear for someone who feels alone.
• A gift of time or skill to someone in need.
These are small steps. But to someone in the dust, they can feel like miracles.
The Light We Carry
We are all, at different times, on the leaf or in the dust. Today we might have enough; tomorrow we might not. This shared humanity is what calls us to act—not out of guilt, but out of love.
This season, as we sit around glowing trees and share meals with loved ones, let’s remember those who don’t have those comforts. Let’s honor them—not just in thought, but in action.
Because when we hear those in the dust, we all rise together.
How Will We Share Our Light?
• Find a local shelter, food bank, or nonprofit to support.
• Pause and listen: Who in our life might need a helping hand or kind word?
• Share this story and start a conversation about giving, inclusion, and care.
Let’s remind ourselves: there is always something to give.
Resources to Get Started:
• VolunteerMatch – Find volunteer opportunities near you.
• Feeding America – Fighting hunger across the U.S.
• United Cerebral Palsy – Supporting individuals with disabilities.
• World Central Kitchen – Meals in crisis areas worldwide.
• Habitat for Humanity – Building homes and hope.
And thousands more ... the key is finding the need and giving.
"No space of regret can make amends for one life’s opportunity misused..."
-Charles Dickens
Let's find the opportunities for charity. And God bless us, every one.