valentino tina

A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.

Steve Maraboli, from Life, the Truth and Being Free

Om. No, it’s not a typo, though it looks like one. It is an ancient and powerful mantra. According to some spiritual traditions, when you make the sound correctly, “the vibrations impact the mind, body and soul, making way for a happy, blissful and calm state,” according to one source Then there’s me, sitting cross-legged, thumbs and index fingers together, hands resting on my knees as I sit on the floor in the upstairs hallway still able to hear the sirens and traffic on Lake Street and worrying about how I’m going to get up. Just like my first undergraduate sociology assignment, I failed miserably at chanting, keeping still and clearing my head. But I wasn’t ready to give up just yet. So I did what every smartphone owner would do: I downloaded an app.

Barry McDonagh’s subtle Irish brogue and guided morning, evening and “emergency” audios, have proven to be much more helpful than deciphering Sanskrit and trying to connect with the universe at this point in my life. I just want to get through difficult and anxious days, the anticipation of the first Mother ’s Day without my mom, discover the benefits of deep breathing and not embarrass myself at a yoga or Tai Chi class. On a particularly tearful and wretched day, I played the “reassurance” audio over and over, but I was perplexed by one line each time I listened: Remember, the gift is in the wound. I had never heard of that, what could it mean? I typed it, of course, in Google, and up popped an article by Dr. Andy Drymalsk that seemed like it was written just for me. He writes, “A wound is like the plow that cuts the soil, yet also prepares the field for planting Into our wounds, life sews seeds of compassion, empathy and understanding Suffering opens our heart to the suffering of others Through our own struggles we begin to understand the complexity of other people’s lives Strangers become brothers and sisters and life acquires more meaning ”

I have experienced the compassion and healing of many kind gestures and, from them, strangers have become friends. Like Ellyn, whose personal suffering has truly opened her heart to the suffering of others. She bought my mother a “therapy doll” to cuddle; the box was delivered to my house and at first I refused to bring it to the nursing home the wound in me was too great. Ellyn insisted on letting my mom decide. Of all the over-the-top gifts I’ve given to my mom over the years, none compared to this doll in a pink polka dot sweatsuit that somehow got named Popo. Popo provided countless hours of smiles for all of us and my mom rarely let go of her little hand. After 60 years as an only child, Popo lives with me now and what was once an open wound is a daily reminder of tremendous compassion.

Like the story of Jessica Housley, featured on WGN news a while back. For the past six years, she has been leaving beautiful bouquets of flowers in unexpected niches around Chicago as a simple random act of kindness Little did she know, there would be “stories of heartbreak, a death in the family or just a low moment And the recipients are touched by a bouquet somehow meant for them,” Erin Ivory reported All kind gestures that reached wounds only compassion can heal

Lastly, a shout out to the mystery giver who sent a copy of my February 2023 column on random acts of kindness along with a crisp new $100 bill to the Chicago-based James-Gail Foundation, founded by Nicole McGee as a way to not only honor the inspiring lives of her parents but to enlighten the lives of children and seniors through free programs that just make people happy. Nicole tracked me down on Facebook to say thank you but it wasn’t me. It was an anonymous neighbor reaching more wounds.

Stay kind, neighbors.

Pickupacopyatoneoftheselocations

BELLW L OOD n Bellwood Public Library n Mickey’s Drive-In n Gioacchino’s Ristorante n Bellwood Village Hall n Currency Exchange on Mannheim n Center at Stevenson Park

BERkELEy n Torres Fresh Market n Republic Bank n JK Restaurant n Berkeley Village Hall and Public Library

BERWyN n Lucky Dog on Harlem Avenue

BROADVIEW n Broadview Village Hall n Broadview Family Restaurant n Lucky Dog on Cermak n Dunkin Donuts on Roosevelt

ELMHuRST n Harlo Grill #2 n Lezza Spumoni & Desserts n Elmhurst Metra Station

ELMWOOD PARk n Judy’s Gaming Cafe n Armand’s Pizzeria on North Avenue n Russell’s BBQ n Elmwood Park Village Hall n Elmwood Park Public Library n Elmwood Park Recreation Center

FOREST PA P Rk n NEW Smokin M’s BBQ n NEW Forest Park Village Hall n Charlie’s Restaurant on Roosevelt n Harvest 365 n Ed’s Foods n Starship Restaurant

FRANkLIN PARk n NEW Garden of Eat’n Restaurant n NEW Sky Cafe n Pet Paradise Supermarket n Yadi’s Grill, 25th and Grand n Franklin Park Metra Station n Lulu Belle’s Pancake House n Al and Joe’s Deli n American Legion Post #974 n Smart Wash Laundromat n Franklin Park Public Library n Park District of Franklin Park n Franklin Park Village Hall n Leyden Community Center

HILLSIDE n Hillside Village Hall n Russo’s Chapels n Q’s Restaurant & Pizza n Hillside Public Library

MAyWOOD n NEW Carnitas Don Alfredo Original n Stairway of the Stars n Poor Boy, 1st & Roosevelt n Maywood Village Hall n Maywood Public Library

MELROSE PA P Rk n NEW Carnitas Don Alfredo Original corner of 25th and Lake Street n NEW Rep Hernandez District Office n Melrose Park Village Hall n Melrose Park Senior Center/ Chamber of Commerce n Sahara Home Care on North Avenue n Westlake Urgent Care on Lake Street n Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel n Tony’s Finer Foods on Mannheim n Dunk Donuts on Lake Street n Lucky Dog on Lake Street n Melrose Park Public Library n Sacred Heart Church n Harlo Grill #1 on North Avenue n Veterans Park District Leoni Complex n 7-11 on Broadway n PNC Bank, Winston Plaza n Scudiero’s Bakery & Deli n Pan American Bank n Melrose Currency on Broadway n St Paul Lutheran Resale Shop n IHOP in Winston Plaza

NORTHLAkE n NEW Northlake City Hall n Cuomo To Go n Grant Park Recreation Center n Northlake Public Library

NORTH RIVERSIDE n Catie’s Place Gaming Cafe n North Riverside Village Commons n North Riverside Public Library

OAk PARk n Rush Oak Park Hospital

RIVER FOREST n Yolk Restaurant on North Avenue n River Forest Chocolates n River Forest Public Library

RIVER GROVE n Quasthoff’s Florist n Catie’s Place Gaming Cafe n Triton College n Rich’s Fresh Market n Dunkin’ Donuts: River and Grand n Dunkin’ Donuts near 1st and Belmont n Bargains in a Box n Blondie’s Diner n River Grove Public Library n River Grove Village Hall n River Park Moose Lodge

SCHILLER PA P Rk n Al & Andy’s Restaurant n Mobil Gas Station, 25th & Irving n Gambino’s Fresh Market

STONE PARk n Stone Park Village Hall n Firehouse Subs n Shwings Shrimp & Wings

WESTCHESTER n Westchester Food Pantry n Westchester Village Hall

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Ne Neig ighb h or orst stm has the edge over other publications when it comes to readership

Tina Valentino

Executive Editor and Contributor

Winner of a Peter Lisagor Aw A ard for Exemplar y Journalism

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Neighbors • 4

SAV A E THE DAT A E! It's not every day you see cops on a rooftop but it's all for a great cause. Join the Hillside Police Department on May 19 to help raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics Illinois. Let’s show some support for these amazing athletes and let them know you believe in their abilities! Check the Dunkin’ Donuts roof at 355 S. Wolf Road in Hillside, from 5 am until Noon.