Never Worry Alone

There are lots of ideas floating about that involve donating to food banks, being a secret Santa, sending cookies to the neighbors, shoveling snow from the widow's driveway, but very few ideas about the emotional labor we can do for one another; the things that cookies and casseroles won't exactly fix...though those can be a welcomed respite.

We all know someone struggling with one thing or another.  We all see their problems that seem to have no earthly answers but have no clue, the fear they tend to.  What then?  How do we light their world at this time of year that can be so difficult despite the Fa-la-la-ing around us?

For today's idea...Never let someone worry alone.  I heard this idea from a highly esteemed Neurosurgeon. One of the hardest things to do is worry alone.  Those worrisome thoughts roll around in our anxious minds with a weight that can be paralyzing.  The fastest way to fix a load of care begins with a thoughtful ear.   You won't have to look far to find someone who needs to share their burdensome thoughts, someone who has no one else to shoulder the worries of life.

Image: Simon Dewey

 This thought occurred to me a few weeks ago as I sat in church.  We were asked to introduce ourselves to the people sitting beside us.  I sat beside a woman who's husband had recently had a massive stroke.  His once energetic body had become nothing more than a shell.   She herself was not a specimen of health though she was the sole caregiver for her husband now.  She was weary and worn.  I saw so much of myself in her.  As she poured out her worries that were far from an introduction, I felt the intensity of her emotional laboring she did.  I made a point to visit with her afterwards and she was more than willing to share her worries.  When all her tired thoughts had tumbled out, she had a tiny light in her eyes once again.

I know that those few moments didn't change her world, but for those few moments, she didn't have to worry alone.  We exchanged ideas of how to cope in chronic situations.   We shared a light and a love even though our situations have no resemblance to one another.

So, this week, slow down the frantic pace of Christmas prep and stop to share a worry with a sweet soul in need.