Asking for Help

Some years ago, a neighbor and I finished clearing snow from our driveways and walks during a huge storm lasting 3 days. The year was 1978. That winter we totaled over 90-inches of snow for the season. Snow was stacked everywhere and at high numbers. Those of us who lived through it, commuted, worked and yet found time to shovel. Remember this storm? It was titanic.

Well, I digressed. Once we finished shoveling our own snow piles (and neighboring sidewalks), we said, “let’s go to the local mall and help people who are stuck in the parking lot. And we did just that. For some reason, we wanted to help out others. They didn’t ask for help, but we knew if we were caught in a similar situation, we would welcome helping hands.

They didn’t ask for the help. It was simply there and accepted. They were relieved and safely on their way home. We felt good; rewarded. That was the high of the day!

When we are in need, however, do we ask for help? Or do we struggle on through woes aplenty?!

Most likely we do not ask for help. I address this because I have been the recipient of a lot of help lately. Having fallen twice in two weeks and in pain now for over 30 days, neighbors have stepped forward to help. Family has come forward. We get food, from friends and colleagues. We get help with cleaning our apartment. We get help straightening out our cupboards of expired food items, and thus have room to clear our counters of other stuff.

I also have a neighbor who fixes cold packs for my back and places them in just the right place. She also puts on my compression socks. [whoever designed these things had the right idea, but a person in a health crisis most likely is not able to put these socks on without help!]. She also removes those socks in the evening before I go to bed.

Recently I attempted to put on shoes for a short walk of exercise. A terror of pain ensued doing just that, but then I could not manage lacing up the shoes. Neighbor came to my rescue again. The simplest things turn out to be big burdens.

All of the above has occurred without me asking for help. But help was there just the same. As I began thanking everyone for their generosity of time, talent and goods, I was told that help was as near as the asking of it. One person told me I was generous in helping others, so it is only natural that they are willing to help me out. The problem resides in the unknowing of the need. That’s when asking for help is the right thing.

Have you asked for help recently? Did the aid arrive when needed?

Good. I thought so. Believe me, I didn’t know these things until I experienced problems and the need for help. A good lesson to learn. Hopefully you learned it before your 70^th birthday.

September 22, 2022