Needing help
Someone I love dearly is having surgery today.
You were probably starting your day by thinking about what happened 17 years ago. I will be starting my day thinking about what will happen this afternoon.
I am a very public person in my professional life, and a very private person in my family life. So it feels strange to share this with you. Still . . . we have a relationship.
Writers and readers share something important — meaning passes between them. I know you are there. I can feel you. Whether you comment here or share this on Facebook or not, I know you’re there. (I can see you in the server logs.)
Just knowing you are there connecting with me from day to day means I know you feel this — even if our relationship is just because you subscribe to my updates on writing, on politics, on living.
Pray if you want, that’s not my business.
But do me this little favor.
Think about someone close to you who is hurting. Maybe it’s someone you’re a little afraid to connect with. Maybe she’s two cubes over. Or maybe you went to high school with him. But you know they’re hurting. And it’s a little scary, because those emotions are scary, even if someone else is having them.
Just stop by or connect. “How are you doing?” “Do you want to go get a cup of coffee?” “How’s your mom; that must be pretty rough.”
Just be there.
If you’re reading this, it would make me feel better to know you are doing this.
We’ll be fine, and you’re helping already just by reading this. Honestly, just give a friend a hand.
It would mean a lot to me.
Edit: My son’s surgery went well and he’s home with us now. Thanks to everyone reading this for your support, it made a big difference.
Hope all goes well with the surgery & the wait today is as peaceful as possible.
I will be holding good thoughts for you and your loved one and will do the same for someone near me.
Me too.
This was one of my favorites.
Thinking of you always and especially today.
You have always been there for us.
Thank you for writing this segment and sharing your humanity with us. I, too, hope the best possible outcome will occur. You help us realize we all have these moments of fragility and vulnerablility; when we experience these feelings, having another person’s kindness means a lot.
Bless you and your loved one at this difficult time.
Namaste (without a hint of bullshit) from North Carolina Josh.
Heartfelt. Thank you. Our thoughts go out to you.
Your work sure helps me! I share it with others from time to time & they say it helps them too. Will think about this today & see if there is someone who may just need to know he or she isn’t alone. 🙂
My son. with whom I often share your posts, is having major surgery tomorrow. I will now keep both him and your loved one in my thoughts for successful outcomes and speedy recoveries. Stay strong.
You and yours are in my thoughts and in my prayers. I’ll reach out to several someones as soon as the chills you’ve sent pass.
Thinking of you and yours. Remember, your tribe is the group of peeps who support and nurture you – good times and scary ones. May the day be as peaceful as possible.
Blessings be yours.
Thinking of you and all who matter to you. Wishing you peace and hoping you witness a recovery that exceeds all expectations.
Josh, your posts seem to always be timely. I too have a friend who will have a surgery in the next few weeks, and I am doing everything I can to be there.
My thoughts are with you today. Wishing you the best.
I’m an atheist so I don’t pray– but I am sending you heart-felt wishes for the best outcome for your loved one. And I habitually reach out to others, so I’ve definitely passed on some warm support.,-)
Prayers and blessings. What you suggest we do we can do neither too often nor too much.
In my life and my tradition, this time of year is one of introspection and new beginnings, a time for examining relationships and seeking to improve them. May it be for you and your loved one a time of healing and peace.
We throw around jargon like B2C a d B2B, but all writing is really about making connections between human beings. Thanks for reminding us of that, Josh. I’m praying for your loved one.
Josh – I dedicate my daily meditation to your friend.
May the surgery go well – thinking of you. And thanks for this point.
I read your blog regularly. I’ve never written a comment or response. Today is a good day to do it, and thank you for helping me be better. You, and your loved one deserve the best outcome possible.
I met you briefly at Inbound last week and this is my first time visiting your blog. I went through a series of surgeries last year and the ups and downs of a year long recovery. Your post is poinant indeed. Hope all goes well with the surgery, and I know your loved one will be comforted knowing that you will be there for them on good days and on days of struggle.
Have been helping a friend with Parkinson’s, severe glaucoma, two recent hip surgeries and some short term memory loss. Moved her into Memory Care this weekend, and have been visiting to help her get settled. Reaching out to others is, to me, part of the reason for existing. Best wishes for surgery and recovery for your dear one, and know that many are thinking of you. Thank you so much for sharing this information and I sincerely hope it starts a chain of people reaching out to others. With love, Ann
Oops, inadvertently omitted the Oxford comma after “surgeries,” mea culpa.
Thanks for sharing this Ann .. really puts everything in perspective from what we think of everyday!
Best wishes and love to this person, you, and all involved.
A good reminder about what’s really important. Thinking of you and yours.
A very big hug from Catalonia !!!
I hope it goes well for the person close to you, and that it goes well for you as well. This is miserable for everyone–in part because you and yours have so little power or control over what happens. You have my understanding and sympathy.
I hope everything goes well.
I read your blog everyday, it helps me as a non-native English speaker.
Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you for your thoughtful post Josh and best wishes for your loved one’s successful surgery.
You and your loved one are in my heart, Josh. Thank you for the privilege of being there for you and yours.
Goodness and light to you and yours in this difficult time…
Praying for you Josh and everyone who matters to you, especially your loved one going through surgery.
Hope all went well today with the surgery Josh. Thinking of you –
I will do that, Josh. Thank you for sharing all you do in showing me how to clearly present my authentic self. I send prayers and positive thoughts.
My strongest possible positive thoughts are going your way Josh .. you are an amazing person and I hope the surgery went well!!
thoughts & feelings with you from the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia 🙂
I’m amazed by this outpouring of support. You are all very kind and generous.
Some days I wonder who’s reading this stuff. This is not one of those days.
I’m grateful, and your comments made a difference. Over 500 people read this post — that made a difference, too.
My son is back at home with us now and everything went as planned. We all have expectations of a full recovery.
Hallelujah! And may his recovery be speedy and full!
You know Josh, things had not started well at work, but you’ve made my day with these good news.
I first saw this post a few minutes ago. Thank you for demonstrating the courage to reach out for support. I’m glad your son experienced a fruitful surgery. Peace be upon ye and your family.
Glad to hear all went well, and wishing your son a full recovery. Thank you for this post – it was a much-needed dose of humanity on a stressful day.