Pointer: Tears work Better

'God has favored me' was between smiles and sorrows when Sam and Simmy visited the old folks' care home on Saturday.
The flu bug that had been a viral hell had finally subsided, on this floor at least. One of the other floors was still closed to visitors. Five, yes, 5 obituaries were pinned to the wall from this floor alone. The life toll had been great but 'God has favored me' was spared... a woman with a very large family can have a very large army of pray-ers behind her... yes?
'Thank you for the cards,' 'God has favored me' said. 'You didn't forget me, hey?'
'No,' replied Simmy. 'We didn't forget about you.'
Communication during 'lockdown' had been a challenge. 'God has favored me' can't hear well enough to use a telephone and the rules had been very strict during the flu virus situation.
Mama did not have computer skills, so... Canada Post was the method of communication.
As Simmy listened to the sad stories that Mama told, some of the other residents were staring at them. One women in particular was focused in on Simmy and it was difficult to ignore her.
Simmy concentrated on Mama and soon entered into her suffering as she allowed herself to feel the pain that Mama was expressing.
Tears filled Simmy's eyes. She looked, again, at the woman sitting by the window and,... as this old woman saw the tearful emotion in Simmy's face,... she nodded with satisfaction and smiled tenderly, all traces of belligerence vanishing in... acceptance?
It was then that Simmy realized... what you offer isn't meaningful to them... if you won't shed a tear with them. This little community had suffered greatly in the last month and they weren't interested in a psuedo friendliness.

Heart- shaped cookies won't fix everything but add a few heartfelt tears and you aren't likely to get attacked by any cane wielding resident.
As they were leaving the old folks' home, Sam said, 'My Dad was having a little fight with one of the seniors.'
'What?' Simmy was a little appalled. 'What do you mean?'
'She would poke him with her cane and he would turn around and point his finger at her. She just laughed and said, 'You point at me. I point at you.'
'Oh, oh,' Simmy said.
She was wondering why 'Rock' had been picked on this day.
Maybe, thought Simmy, it would have been better if he had shed a few tears... instead of pointing? 
As Sam and Simmy drove through the city the sun was shining.
It was hard to feel happy.
Most of the residents at the home hadn't been happy.
Sometimes,...
it is the little things that can make you smile...

A little emotional turnaround lifted Simmy's spirits as she espied this church sign.
'Ha Ha! That's the best one they've put up there yet!' Simmy laughed.
Emotions are designed to be situational. Pick the right one for the right situation and many things can be mastered.