Robin Williams died this week. He was suffering in ways we never knew. He was hurting and in pain. We didn’t know and if we did, we couldn’t help him.
There are so many people – friends and family and neighbors and colleagues who are also struggling right now. They are in a bad state because of their health, finances, marriage issues, job status, money struggles, addictions, fears and frets. These people are within range and can be reached. We have to reach out and say those magical word …”I’ve been thinking about you.” Then we need to just be quiet. We can make a difference.
I can’t take the pain away that someone is feeling but I can be there for them when they need to talk. I can’t get those people through the dark night but I can hold their hand as they wade through the sludge.
I believe we are surrounded by people with stories – some are huge and over the top amazing stories! Most are everyday stories about average people just figuring it out. Some are about black-footed ferrets, tennis lessons, vegetable gardens, and others are about medications, health problems, loneliness and struggles. They are only uncovered when we take time to let others tell their stories. Some people will gush with the chance to share and others will let their stories out bit by bit.
It’s about acknowledging the other person at the table, on the bus, in line at the store, in the other car, on the phone, at the drive-thru. Simple, really and on the surface pretty basic stuff, but the end result can be so much more. Sometimes there’s a sigh or a smile.
He made me laugh.
Happily ... after retirement 
Marge I’d like to think that we are becoming less self centred and more aware of others who made need us.
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Beautiful thought-provoking comment.
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All my love…
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Nice, Marge and well said!
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You have said it all Marge and I totally agree. The biggest blessing I have, not having a job, is that I am available to spend time with others who might need my help in some way or another, or just to be there to listen. There is always someone. And it all reminds me to be so very grateful for my blessings.
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It was there in his eyes. Robin Williams was tired, he had enough, could no longer fight life’s battles. He couldn’t be helped because no one knew.
blessings ~ maxi
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Yes, Maxi, I agree that no one knew his pain. I feel that we interact with people all the time who are in pain – and our actions, conversation, greetings, eye contact, smile … all matter. We just don’t know how much we matter.
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Yes, Ann, there is always someone who can benefit from a smile or a kind word or possible a hug. Such small gestures can mean so much.
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Thanks Carole. Having a support group is so important, isn’t it?
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Yes. Right back at ya…
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Thanks Mary!
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I think you may be right. The reaching out takes work, takes listening, takes time and it’s all so worth it.
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True, even a person in line at the post office or grocery store, or just walking along the street (sidewalk) might need that smile 🙂 One of the things I love about walking downtown Greenville as so many people will smile, maybe with a little wave or “hi” or even start a conversation. It means a lot.
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Well, Marge Katherine, this is another example of your gift for turning one event into a lesson for all of us! Thank you!
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I leave a comment each time I especially enjoy a post on a site or
I have something to contribute to the conversation. Usually it is a result of the passion communicated in the
article I looked at. And after this article Moments matter | Marge Katherine.
I was moved enough to drop a thought 😛 I do have 2 questions for you if it’s allright.
Is it simply me or does it look as if like some of the responses look like coming from brain dead folks?
😛 And, if you are posting on other places, I’d like to keep up with
everything new you have to post. Could you list the complete urls of all your social pages like your linkedin profile,
Facebook page or twitter feed?
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