A lesson in humility and life's meaning

I remember how years ago, after my divorce after 25
years of marriage I moved to another state to be near
my youngest daughter, but almost never got to see her.

I had moved into an attic apartment so I could afford
my child support payments and still hopefully get
myself out of debt and maybe even afford some
distractions (trips, etc). 

Not being able to see my daughter was heartbreaking
and extremely depressing.  Living in a wintry back
woods town in NE Pennsylvania didn't help.
I determined to make the best of this time in my life
for at long as this "phase" lasted.  Long, cold,
wintry days kept me house bound, as I knew few friends
and family. 

Some days I decided to occupy myself (along with a little
exercise) by shovelling my walk. 

All my neighbors were elderly, so I, with nothing
better to do, I decided to shovel a few extra
sidewalks.  After all, these were small homes of
limited size, so they took almost no time at all.
Its funny how only just a few shoveled sidewalks could
cause an entire afternoon to dissappear.  The old
folks were so happy at my assistance, but I assured
them the exra work allowed me some much needed
exercise and free warmth.

Occasionally when I saw a widow or widower arriving
home in a cab with a load of groceries which the
cabbie left on the curb, I rushed out and helped carry
the groceries into their front door.

Well, after almost two years, my time had come to
move.  I'd had an out of state job offer I couldn't
refuse.  My daughter was now 18 and independent, and
had made it quite clear I was not needed, so I jumped
at the opportunity.

On moving day you could not imagine my shock, almost
to tears.  A dozen of my co-workers had arrived to
assist me in loading my things into a rented moving
van. 
And even more surprising, was how every last widow and
widower on my street came out to wish me well and tell
me how I would be missed.

This was even more humbling because in all those two
years, I had felt like my life was meaningless, useless,
and that no one would miss me I disappeared off the
face of the earth.

Now I know.  NEVER miss a chance to help anyone
needing even the slightest help.