26/10/2025
🪂It Takes a Village
🩼a.k.a. Reflections from Sick Bay after foot surgery
One night, when I lived in New York City, I was walking home behind a man in a wheelchair. He had a bag from the pharmacy on his lap. It tipped over, sending bottles rolling. He was able to scoop up most of them, but one rolled under a parked car at a weird angle. There was no way for him to reach it.
I asked, “do you need some help?”
His response was programmed, automatic: “No….”
But we both knew he did.
Many, many, many times, I fell for that foolish cultural dictum that says, “you’re on your own!” And “asking for help is an admission of failure, and failure is unacceptable.”
The guy and I both knew he needed help. So, I said, “we’re all in this together!” as I bent to collect his runaway bottle.
I have been thinking about that guy over the past few days as I navigate on crutches and a knee scooter following foot surgery.
My mom said she recently saw a man with a cast in the grocery store on a knee scooter like the one I have, pushing his cart by himself. How tiring! How unsafe! I can only guess that he didn’t have anyone willing or able to help him. And perhaps he didn’t know how to ask for help.
Anne Lamott says “Help!” is one of the great prayers. I know from experience it works every time. Feel free to pray for help with anything, big or small. Help is on the way!
Then as the help flows in…let it overflow your heart so it flows out as you help those in need. ♾️
I want to express my deep gratitude to my partner, my parents, and my friends for their help and care and concern. To my boss for her understanding (and for a job I can work from home. And for health insurance!) I know how fortunate I am to be surrounded by such help and care! Thank you!
“Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder. Help someone’s soul heal. Walk out of your house like a shepherd.”
- Rumi