When helpers need help

We’ve all done it, although may be hesitant to admit it: locked ourselves out of our cars. For me, it happened on a frigid, cold wintery night.

Choir practice had just ended, and the cars were quickly pulling away when I realized my keys, phone, and wallet were locked inside my car.

I quickly flagged the attention of a peer who generously offered to call CAA and sit and wait with me until they arrived. Not wanting to inconvenience her, I accepted the call to CAA, but insisted that she go home, emphatically stating, “I am a big girl thanks, I’ll be fine.”

A half an hour later, as I stood alone in the parking lot with the -20 degree windchill sweeping through me, I questioned my decision.

I’m so used to being the one to help others that it can be hard for me to recognize when I, too, need help.

As fate would have it, a solitary figure came out of the building to another car in the far corner of the lot. Another choir member had stayed late so that she could lock up the building. She insisted that I come inside her car for warmth. This time, I happily accepted. Worried I was keeping her up late with no sight of CAA on the horizon, she reassured me, “It’s no problem at all! I just received my chemotherapy treatment this afternoon, and it keeps me up all night.”

So, we sat together in her car, learning about one another as we waited. What started as misfortune turned into a gift as I had the opportunity to get to know her better.

I am humbled by this experience and what it taught me; that friends really are strangers we’ve not yet met, and perhaps more importantly, it doesn’t matter how strong we are, we all benefit from a helping hand in times of need.

We still have a few seats left in two great group programs. Overcoming Trauma and Building Resiliency, and Navigating Next Steps. Get in touch to see which one is right for you. info@landingstrong.com or 902-472-2972.

Warmly,

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong