HELP!

This week I had the pleasure of helping some other people. I found myself wandering downtown on a very hot afternoon one day. (For anyone that has been following my past food blogs, it was yogurt day, and I was super excited because that meant I could have frozen yogurt!!!) I hopped into an Ed's real scoop, and on my way out I saw an opportunity. There was a young man asking for change, standing out in the incredible heat, and I felt guilty for enjoying my delicious cool treat, and I also was a little worried about him. I decided to buy him a bottle of water.  I continued on my way, and a few blocks later there were 2 more gentlemen asking for change, so I bought two more bottles of water and passed them out. I felt pretty darn good! I had done my part for the day! Interestingly, the last two gentlemen that I handed water too didn't seem as pleased, they seemed slightly disappointed that I handed them water and not money. In any case, I started on my trek for home.

I was waiting for the streetcar, and was checking the next time of arrival on my phone when I heard a very faint "excuse me." I looked up to see an older woman in a wheelchair in front of me.
"Sorry to bother you", she continued, "But I have been waiting to get into my building a block or so down and there hasn't been anybody there to help me get in. Would you mind?" I was slightly confused as to what the actual request was, but so moved that she had decided to ask me, that I gladly accepted. We headed down the street, and I started in on some small talk, to pass the silence, mostly about how hot it was. "Yes" she agreed "It is pretty dangerous for me, I was sitting outside for a long time, but I can't sit out anymore. It's just too hot." We got to her apartment, and I saw that it was equipped with the handicapped buttons that open both doors, but she explained to me that neither of them actually stay open long enough for her to get in, so she has to wait for someone to come whenever she wants to go home. Once we got inside, she politely asked if I could hold the elevator button for her, as it also wasn't long enough for her to get into the elevator, and lastly she could not reach the buttons on her own to press her floor number. I helped her into the elevator and as the door closed she politely thanked me for my help, and I started out of the unknown building.

As I very quickly moved my way outside, I found myself in tears thinking about how easy I had it. How this woman could not even get inside of her home (a home that was "supposedly" wheelchair friendly) on her own. I thought about how frustrating that must be, and how scary it must be to have to ask strangers for help. It was in that moment that I thanked god for my life, for my able body, and for that woman asking me for help. Her asking me for help made me feel honoured, special, and also absolutely humbled for the rest of my day.

So another great lesson: Asking for help actually makes other people feel good. Something that I need to remember when I am so good at convincing myself that I would be a bother to others, and that if I don't do it myself I can't be considered an independent, strong woman. In fact it is a scary thing to ask for help when we need it, and it takes a strong person to admit it. I hope that I can continue to be that strong person, and ask for help when it's needed. I hope that you all can too.

Love and kindness all.