What is it that keeps us going?
When life batters you, blindsides you,
and leaves you bruised and confused.
What stops a person just closing the curtains,
locking the doors, and curling up in a ball?
I have been asking myself this during the past week.
A week that saw one family say “Goodbye” to their six year old son,
and another where a family got a beautiful glimpse of the future.
A future in which their young son would made a good recovery from leukemia.
Only to have that hope snatched away,
and the view of a very different future placed in front of them.
It has been a week of tremendous sadness personally,
and I admit I have been upset.
However as I struggled and tired,
it was the little things that kept me going.
Today as I was a little overwhelmed,
friends at work took over as I went home.
There I was handed a cup of tea, with my favourite biscuits.
Fresh flowers were bought,
and two arms embraced me and held me close.
In that hug I could feel my strength returning.
I could do this.
So when I was called on by this family,
who were living a nightmare,
watching their young boy and waiting for news.
I used that strength.
I could help, and advise them,
and in a very small way strengthen them,
so they too could carry on.
As we all get through another difficult day,
there have been many more moments,
where someone reached out and gave us strength.
A text, or phone call.
A message on facebook, twitter or wordpress.
All helping us get through.
Every kind word making a difference.
Each life really does affect another.
Thank you all.
photo credit: prettywar-stl via photopin cc
My thoughts on a page. 
This is a hard one for me because my wife has always been my rock. Now she doesn’t want to be my wife so I’ve lost that immense support. The thing that has kept me going during this time is my wordpress friends, my family, and a couple of close friends. I think it will be interesting to see who I really lean on in the future.
I never understood online friendships, and to be honest I had no time for people who had “virtual” friends, until I came here and met people like you. There have been people on wordpress who have been such huge support to me, and who in a way I have got to “know”. In good times I have enjoyed celebrating with them and now in these very difficult days I feel really supported.
I hope in time you find another rock. Until then I hope you have many mini rocks around you also.
I have been blessed with many mini rocks. One of them is a fellow blogger who reached out to me. It amazes me the support some virtual friends can provide.
🙂
As humans we are social creatures. We do depend on one another, to lean on, to support, and to need our support in return. It’s a good circle of how we should work. I’m glad you found strength today.
Yes I did. Thanks to you and others. x
There is so much power and comfort in words whether they are spoken verbally or on a screen. This blogging community is only one great example of how we can reach out to one another. I was amazed to find so many sensitive, and caring people that I have encountered here. There are resources within the variety of unique people here as well. I hope you continue to find support as you face these real life struggles.
Sending you (((hugs))) and good thoughts.
Thanks a million your hugs are great. You are right, it is not only the support but the generous sharing of skills and resources that is equally amazing. I am so glad I found it.
I’m glad that people around you are looking after you, while you try to look after your friends who are going through this awful time. Hoping to hear better news soon
Thank you. Today was a very dark day, definitely made easier by the kindness of others. Thank you also, I really do appreciate your thoughts and prayers for this little warrior.
That would be a terrible thing. I’m glad someone was there to offer support.
While we are strangers separated by an ocean, I feel like you are a friend. I have never had a “virtual” friend until I started blogging and reading your blog. You write in such a way that you and your family have become dear to my heart. Through your writing I feel your pain and anger and I pray that you and your little friends family will find comfort. I am so glad you had that support and that you are now able to offer that support to your friend.
Thank you, too, tric…
I hope these dark times will pass to reveal a brighter future. So glad that you have found support and comfort (whether virtually or in real-life). Hang in there. Hugs
If we only knew all of the lives we touch every something of every day, I think we would be more apt to try and touch them all in warmer, kinder, and gentler fashion. Thank you for the heartfelt post. Well written.
I’m glad you enjoyed it. It is during hard times that we really become aware of small kindnesses.