Be That Friend

Hi! So nice to see you again. It's been a while since we last spoke. How are you?

How often do we hear ourselves saying the same thing and then apologising for how busy we've been, but never completely following it up? We are all guilty in our hectic lives of putting things and sometimes people including family on a list of priorities.

Sometimes it's the things that aren't always said that speak the loudest. So when you get that feeling something or someone isn't quite themselves go see them. Text or phone them. Just to let them know that you are there and thinking about them. It could change their entire day completely. It could even save a life.

So even through the chaos and uncertainties that every day can bring, as well as finding time for yourself find a little time for others too. Everyone struggles with something and it's good to talk sometimes.

A few weeks ago I got stopped while shopping by an elderly gentleman who couldn't manage to get the razors off the display stand. They were securely fastened for safety reasons but were easily released with a little pressure. I managed to get the ones he wanted and he was very grateful. He then started to talk to me about his late wife and how much he missed her. He still liked to keep himself smart because she liked him well turned out and clean shaven.

We spoke for about fifteen minutes and then he thanked me for my time and for helping him. He wished me a happy and healthy life and after I'd said it was my pleasure we went our different ways.

How easy is it to look the other way sometimes and not catch someone's eye, hoping we won't get held up or hindered in our own daily routine. But really how hard is it to find time to be kind? To cheer someone up, to share a coffee, to reach out, to talk a little while to someone who has no one when they get in.

They were once young and active and had families too. One day that might be us. I hope someone might help me, my children or even some random person we might never see again in some little way everyday. Helping one person might not change the world, but it could change the world for that one person. We all need each other. From the youngest to the eldest we can be there. Just by showing we care.

If only a smile!