I realized something yesterday.

Many of us feel like we’re alone in this world but when we really need someone, people step up and offer a hand.

I have a friend who recently had her gallbladder removed because it was almsot ready to burst. She was in extreme pain but still managed to drive herself to the hospital and check herself in.

She drove herself because she didn’t want to bother anyone.

She’s a single woman without children. She is strong and independent. She doesn’t ask for help very often. She doesn’t want to intrude on other people’s lives. She doesn’t want to bother other people.

This week, she had to ask for help. She couldn’t move. She couldn’t get out of bed to feed herself.

I was talking to her on the phone yesterday and she said to me that she was amazed at all of the people who had signed her get-well cards and had contributed to a basket for her. I told her that I thought she probably didn’t realize what an impact she made on other people’s lives. She said she didn’t. I told her that talking to her is like being in the safest place. It doesn’t matter if you’re crying or laughing, you always feel good when you walk away from talking to her because she has a manner that gives you peace.

She said to me that she thought about me during this ordeal. She said, “You live so far out. What if this happened to you? Who would take care of you? Would you call anyone? Would you let anyone in?”

She told me that she wanted to be there for me if something happened to me.

I was overwhelmed by that. I don’t know if it was the medication or her pain or her very emotional state speaking at that moment. It doesn’t really matter.

What matters is that she reached out a hand and I took it and said thank you.

She touched me. Deeply.