Editor’s Note: People are kind

In his “All About You” column this month, Richard Hawk writes about how he’s trying to be more kind.

I don’t think it’ll surprise any of you when I say that Richard is already a very kind man.

A while back I shared with you that I had become the primary caregiver for my mom, who was bravely battling a terrible illness. In October, Mom passed away from complications of Lewy body dementia, a staggeringly cruel disease that, in the end, proved too much even for a woman of such incredible strength.

As her disease progressed, I worried a lot about letting personal issues affect my job and create extra work for my colleagues. And, of course, they did. But as my co-workers became aware of what was going on in my life, they responded with a depth of kindness and compassion that moved me to the core – and sometimes brought me to tears.

Richard, the Safety+Health team and people throughout the National Safety Council would regularly take the time to ask about my mom. That simple act – often a quick sentence tucked into an email – meant a great deal to me, particularly on rough days. And S+H Publisher Deborah Meyer and Managing Editor Jen Yario were towers of strength and support.

As a writer, I’m supposed to have the words to express myself in any situation. But anything I say to describe how touched I am by the kindness I’ve been shown, and how grateful I am for it, is inadequate. I’ve learned firsthand that, even in a world where opinions are divided, people are kind – and kindness matters. I plan to pay it forward.

The opinions expressed in “Editor’s Note” do not necessarily reflect those of the National Safety Council or affiliated local Chapters.