Questionably Fabulous

Its odd what having someone next to you does – it totally changes whatever is happening around you.  The scenario feels differently and you can handle things with greater ease and confidence. 

How many times have you helped a friend through a tough time and at the end they thank you.  Because just being there was exactly what they needed.

People need people.  It is a fact. 

When I had surgery last fall I had so much support, my mother and father and fiancé (boyfriend at the time) never left my side the day of and the first few days afterwards.  Its true I needed a lot of physical help – sitting up, eating, drinking, moving from the bed to the bathroom etc – but I also needed the emotional help they were giving me by simply being there.  

Staying by someone’s side while they go through anything allows them to share in the joy, or the pain, of everything.  Celebrating someone’s birthday or marriage is just as important as helping to morn the death of a family member.  It allows them to explore their thoughts and feelings in a safe way without feeling isolated. 

This has been on my mind a lot lately – mostly because I am getting married and planning a wedding which will be geographically a challenge to get to for some people – a destination wedding in a lot of ways but not anywhere exotic!  LOL – which in itself if pretty Questionably Fabulous…  But the thing is, the celebration won’t be complete unless certain people are there, smiling at me, holding my hand, getting teary eyed etc. 

And its also been on my mind as I face, yet another health obstacle.  Getting test results alone at a doctor’s office, calling people immediately afterwards to talk to through…  Scheduling the biopsy…  I try and tell myself that I can go it alone – but the truth is that I need someone to tell me its all going to be alright.  Even if they don’t know with any certainty that it will be. 

So, the next time you see someone who is having a hard time or celebrating something, simply give them attention.  The power of this “free” attention – the kind that is literally not costing them anything at all, the kind that is focused on them and only them without any ulterior motive or hidden agenda – its priceless.  And it’s the greatest gift you can give a person.