Dignity

“Dignity is such a fun word to say!” exclaimed Tela, as she rolled this new word around and off her tongue.

We had a new guest and he was going by the trail name Dignity. His polite calm demeanor initiated me to invite him into our home to stay. The first evening when asked how he got his trail name he exclaimed, with an embarrassed laugh, that he had received his name due to a lack of dignity. I spent the night restless. Fearful that I had invited a guest into our home who I would completely regret hosting.

The following day I kept looking for a lack of dignity and the days that followed. I never saw it, in fact, I saw the opposite. Dignity truly acted, reacted, interacted and breathed dignity.

He would say that he was an only spoilt child but discovered that he viewed himself spoilt because at the age of 12 his parents left their homeland of Hungary and ventured around the world to offer a better education for him. He would say that he tries to play guitar but in turn had been in a band and was a phenomenal player.

Dignity stayed with us for four nights and I can honestly say that it was nothing but a privilege and treat to have such a breath of dignity in our home.

It was a reminder of the benefit to walk this earth with dignity. To partake in life, in such a manner that you remain respectfully removed, only to engage with dignity.

Our conversations flowed with the gurgling spring streams, over the next few days. I found that his air of dignity naturally paved an inviting space to talk, listen and share. We talked of growth and religion, we talked of our fears and our hopes. We talked of sorrows and joys. He lathered his listening and words with such a gentle sweet aroma of dignity. He ensured the dishwasher was always empty and the continued discovery of random dishes put away in the most random places, continues to bring a smile to my face and heart. He would approach helping, singing, sharing, and living with a gentle yet energetic encouragement to partake. Always with dignity, always in a manner worthy of being respected. I naturally found myself longing to soak my world, thoughts and self with this honeydew droplet of a jewel. Dignity left more than just a breathing and beautiful example of how to walk this life in dignity, he left the invitation for us all to walk with dignity too.

And as we got ready to say goodbye, I found myself say, "I love you" as I hugged him. He said he loved me too. It was beautiful to remeet for the first time. It was an honor to be reminded of the beauty of dignity and how it is an option for us all.

Dignity for self, the earth and all those we encounter. I really wish that there was more Dignity on this planet. I am grateful that we had the privilege to have some, in our space, if only for a little while.