There is no better way to thank God for your sight than by giving a helping hand to someone in the dark.
- Helen Keller |
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| Greetings!
It's that time of year when you give thanks for those around you. Often it is the person who has gone through a crisis who is thankful for what they have and the friends and loved ones around them. It is also important to remember that the friends and loved ones are thankful too, not only for the friendship but for the opportunity to be a friend when it was needed the most. |
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The Gift of Friendship: Part I
Recently, my husband and I celebrated the birth of our first child. We thought we were pretty well prepared - I had a few showers and received everything we could possibly need. We brought our daughter home from the hospital and experienced baby bliss. She melted our hearts. But, along with the bliss came a sense of being completely overwhelmed. We had to provide everything for this little bundle of joy. Breastfeeding was hard, and our little one lost too much weight in the first few days.
My friend, Aimee, came over after we had been home two days. She told me she was there to help us in whatever way we needed -- not to hang out or hold the baby. Over the next 24 hours, she washed and folded laundry, mopped, cleaned bathrooms, changed diapers, did whatever we needed. Honestly, most of that time was a blur, and I didn't even see her that much. The greatest gift she gave was time for my husband to run errands and for me to take my first nap since the baby was born. When Aimee left, our house was clean, our laundry was folded, and I felt I could give all my attention to my little girl.
We received many gifts before our baby was born, and we appreciated all of them. But the gift of time, friendship and peace of mind that Aimee gave us was a gift I could not have put on any registry. It was as precious as any gift we received. Aimee offered this time without being asked -- it's just what amazing friends do.
-- Cara |
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As the holidays approach...
... some suggestions for bringing good cheer to all.
- Food for thought: Is there some way you can help your friend with holiday meals or groceries?
- Baking fun: Perhaps your friend would enjoy holiday goodies that can be served to guests. Enlist friends to provide some tins of cookies, fudge, candies... yum, yum!
- Offer to help your friend with gift shopping. This might mean a shopping trip with your friend. You can drive, carry bags, and keep any limitations in mind that your friend may have.
- Wrap it up: offer a gift wrapping party. Many friends can wrap gifts in a very short time, and it will be a fun time to visit.
- Talk to your friend about holiday decorations. Find out how friends can help, and then organize a "Deck the Halls" party.
- Those who are facing the holidays for the first time after losing a loved one will appreciate a note or a phone call from you acknowledging that this might be a difficult time. Maybe even schedule a time for a quiet dinner or other get-together during the usual rush and scurry of the season.
And don't forget all the "usual" (and unusual) WhatFriendsDo.com daily cheer ideas throughout the entire holiday season. |
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The Gift of Friendship: Part II
Dear Cara, John and new baby Ashlynn,
Thank you so very much for allowing me to be a part of this amazing, and often times trying, time of your life. While you might not realize it in the haze of new parenthood, you gave me a gift. While to many it might have looked like I was just coming to clean the house and run some errands after Ashlynn was born, that's not what it looked like to me. To me, it looked like I was allowed to help you in one of the most special parts of your life. You let me into the house when you were vulnerable and tired and overcome with joy and you let me share that with you. I loved cleaning your house for you (side note to readers, I am NOT a fan of cleaning!) and knowing I was allowing you to spend time with your new baby.
By allowing me to help you, you reminded me how special our friendship is and how wonderful it feels to be allowed to help. So as you prepare to spend your first Thanksgiving together as a family please know that I am thankful for you, our friendship and being able to help you!
-- Aimee | |
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We might not be able to change the outcome of your situation, but we hope to help change the journey!
WhatFriendsDo Staff
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