Giving and Receiving
Last night I had the opportunity to drop everything and come to the aid of a desperate need. One of my friends had a 3 am medical emergency which required her and her husband to run off to the hospital. I went to her house to stay with her kids. In this case the medical emergency was quickly resolved. She and her husband were both back home by 8:30 am. I am so glad that she called me. I’m grateful for the opportunity to make a horribly frightening situation a little bit better.
I am grateful for this chance to give because I have so often been on the receiving end of such gifts. When I had my own medical mess 8 years ago, many people rearranged their lives to make mine easier. At the time I was simultaneously grateful and embarrassed at all the help I received. Over the past two years since Howard began cartooning full time we have received many gifts of money, toys, games, clothes, and good will for which I am always simultaneously grateful and embarrassed. But I keep the gratitude and shrug off the embarrassment because I know what it is like to give. I know how it feels to really want to make someone’s life a little bit better and to be actually able to do it. By graciously accepting needed help, I am giving that opportunity to someone else.
I miss having the funds to give. I see so many places where I would love to be able to help, but can’t afford to do so. However I do have hands which I can put to work. Last night and this morning there was a clear cut opportunity for me to physically step in and help someone; to look my friend in the eyes and say “Don’t worry about your kids, I’ll manage just fine.” She may think that she owes me something for my help, but I know that she doesn’t. I know I’m just trying to pay forward all the gifts and services that have been given to me. My friend has already given me the gift of trusting me to answer her frightened 3 am phone call.
Don’t be afraid to ask people to help you. We are all our best selves when we are helping each other.