Each early morning, pup Lupini is allowed to come up onto our bed to snuggle and fall back asleep. A few days ago as I was stroking his soft little head, I thought I heard him wheezing and mentioned it to Hubs. "You treat him like he's made of glass," said Hubs, knowing I absolutely baby that 3-year-old adorable puppy.
How can I not? Lupini is SO tiny, a 14-pound vulnerable little fur ball without a voice box to tell me if something hurts, an animal who depends on me for everything: to water and feed him, carry him up and down stairs, snuggle and love him, play with him, give him treats, watch him outside, and drive him to the vet if he's wheezing. Of course, I treat him like glass! I love taking care of Lupini.
Shouldn't we do the same with any vulnerable being? Those who are weak emotionally or physically ... those who are battling themselves psychologically ... those who do not know how to use their voice ... those who are young and immature ... those who are hurt and fragile ... those who depend on us for physical needs ... those who are downtrodden ... those with special needs ... those underdogs. Yes, we might handle them as if they are made of glass and may shatter any second.
If we are the stronger, the larger, the more confident, the leader, the decider, the saner, the louder one, the more mature, then the vulnerable people in our life depend on us to be their support, their strength, their guide, their rock. We may show them extra special treatment, handle them "with kid gloves" (very soft gloves made from the skin of a "kid" which is a baby goat.) What does this actually mean? To treat someone who is important to us very carefully, gently, with sensitivity, and special consideration.
In your world, who is the very vulnerable? With whom is it necessary to handle like glass?
