A friend is always loyal and a brother is born to help in time of need. - Proverbs 17:17
Most days in a human being’s life are fairly ordinary. But every life is sprinkled with remarkable days—days of life-changing events—a wedding, a birth, a diagnosis, a tragedy, a funeral—events that shape and define us and are forever seared in our memories. It’s during those times that people have the unique opportunity to impact us in ways that are also memorable.
I remember my friend, Teri, using a walker to enter my hospital room to visit me with my newborn just one week after experiencing a very challenging childbirth herself. I remember the dear friends that drove eight hours to be at my side for my mother’s funeral. I remember the people that sat with me during the long hours of my husband’s heart surgery and those who brought meals afterwards. I remember the people that came to our daughters’ weddings and those who cared for me after my hysterectomy. Each one of these kind acts made a lasting impression, not by their grandeur but by their presence. They were with me in times when being with them was what mattered.
I have forgotten a million things that have happened in my life, but the people that showed up during important moments will never be forgotten.
If you want to truly make a difference in people’s lives, be present when it matters most. Show up even if your hands are empty. Show up even when you don’t know what to say. Show up when it’s awkward or inconvenient. Being present for another person is a gift and a great act of love. And often, it’s one that will be remembered for a lifetime.
ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS
When you think about the people you know—family, friends, acquaintances—consider important moments where you can be present. Even if nothing comes to mind right now, it’s good to be ready when those times arise. Let’s be the ones that show up when it really matters.