I got to where I am, personally and professionally, because someone or something helped me…
…a co-worker who took the time to critique stories I wrote; a boss who never stopped teaching me how to be a great salesperson; an ex-husband who let me cry on his shoulder for hours about my love life; a therapist who steered me towards more self-awareness; a book that walked me through the first stages of motherhood; sisters who never stopped liking me, even when I wasn’t very likable.
It is our obligation to pay it forward and help whoever we can, whenever we can, I believe. I emailed a FOF member who lost her daughter two years ago: “I was heartbroken to read your email about the loss of your daughter. I wish there was something I could do or say to lessen your heartache. If you ever want a ‘pen pal,’ please drop me an email.”
It was a small gesture, but I meant it, and yesterday I received a wonderful email from my FOF friend telling me how she’s doing. “Thank you for letting me talk a little about myself, my giant step forward on this path to a new life…” she wrote.
I brainstormed with two other FOF friends who are starting their own businesses and wanted my advice. “Thank you so much for taking the time out of your afternoon yesterday to talk with me,” one of them emailed. “I have to say you have such great energy and your willingness to share and brainstorm is contagious.”
Another FOF friend has a marvelous idea for a screenplay and she asked if I’d connect her with someone in the business, which I did.
I adore getting thanks, but that’s not the reason I help.
0 Responses to ““Help, I need somebody…””
f_kranzberg says:
My seventh grade English teacher was the worst. Not only did we have to go to class, but she made each of us schedule a small group session with her every week. These sessions were where we would go over our papers, paragraph by paragraph, line by line, word by word, until they were just right.
I was having a particularly rough time with one true-life-story assignment, and had rewritten it what seemed like a dozen times, when Miss Fieselman sat me down and said “tell me the story.” I started to tell her the story as I had written it, and she interrupted me with “no, pretend I am a girlfriend and tell me the story.” So, I told her the story. Her advice was simple “Write it like you told it to me.”
It didn’t take me too much longer to appreciate how very lucky I was to have Miss Clara Fieselman as my teacher.
Jude says:
I’ve just discovered your blog. Wonderful, wish I’d discovered it earlier. I also lost someone dear to me – my father passed away in Jan and he was very supportive of us 3 kids and our efforts to make something of ourselves, carve a meaningful life.
I’m looking forward to reading more of your lovely posts.
P.S. Full confession: I’m not fifty (I would love a fab-late-thirties community!), but hoping it’s OK to browse 🙂
Geri says:
Hi Jude,
I’m so flattered that you like the blog. I am sorry for your loss. It’s hard, but your dad was a lucky man to have children he loved so much.
Of course it’s okay to browse. 🙂
Geri
Geri says:
Hi again Jude,
I am going to write about your blog. The photos are wonderful, and so are your sentiments.
I am a Pisces too. March 8th.
Geri
Eileen Rosado says:
I wanted to thank my Step Mother. She cam along in my father’s life at a time when he needed to find love and I needed a mother. My mother died when I was 10 but our relationship was not the best. My Step mother brought a great love to my life. She made me feel that I was worthwhile. HAving 2 older sisters who were somewhat abusive made me hope for a guardian angel. That angel came in the form of my Step mother. She made my father’s life complete. She made him so happy. Thanks MOM
Geri says:
Hi Patricia,
It warms my heart to read comments like yours. Our friends will never replace our parents, but how lucky we are to have friends we can count on.
Fondly,
Geri
Patricia Assanowicz says:
I want to thank my Mom and Dad who passed to early in life, growing up they were my hero’s and I have a really hard time when I want to sit down and talk about different things I am going through. When I was young having someone steer you in the right direction and listen meant alot to me. At times there is an empty void and I felt no one knew me better than my parents, after losing them, I had a hard time trying to keep my ducks in a row, “so to speak”. Then one day I realized I have two very good friends that were and still are there for me. Thank you Geri for giving me this time
Geri says:
Hi Toby,
Wonderful post. Where do you live? I don’t think I ever asked
oxo
Toby Wollin says:
Great Metropolitan Castle Creek, New York.
Toby Wollin says:
Geri – you and I are definitely joined at the brain. I saw your photo and said to myself, “I had a piece on KCE that was basically about the same thing and used a photo very much like that.”
Great minds and all that.
http://www.kitchencountereconomics.com/2009/06/19/taking-personal-responsibility-for-breaking-the-recession/