My Heart Sister

Today, I’m headed to the New Orleans area – where I’m from originally –  to visit friends and family.  It’ll be a lonnnng drive from my home in San Antonio, but I’ll listen to the radio as I drive.  I like road trips and only listen to country music when I’m on one as the music is entertaining. Someone once said that each country song is a soap opera.  And, I suppose there is some truth to that.  All I know is that the only songs that have ever made me laugh heartily have been from the country genre.

But I digress.  I’m not writing today about country music – I plan on doing that another time when I share some favorites.  Rather, I want to talk about the necessity of “being there” when someone you care about is going through a rough time. Physically. In person.

Often, it’s not enough to say things like “I’m thinking of you” or “you’re in my prayers.” When someone is experiencing loss of any kind, they need someone who cares about them and their pain more than they need cards and letters.  Although those things can bring comfort, I’ve found that folks actually need both.  Within each of us is the need to not feel alone in our misery – just as when we have something to celebrate, we can’t wait to share the good news with someone who cares.

Which brings me to why I’m headed over to NOLA.  A long-time friend lost her mother on New Year’s Day.  She has no blood siblings but because of her own loving, giving heart, she has, over her lifetime, collected a large family of “heart siblings” of which I am a member. As she has been there over the years for all of her “heart siblings,” she has been there for me throughout some of the most turbulent times of my life. And, I wanted to be there for her in some way as she makes the transition to learning to live without her last remaining parent.

So, as I head to NOLA, I’ll be thinking of her and how fortunate I am to know her and have her in my life. I’ll also be thankful that I have the ability to be there for her.  If you see a white SUV heading east on I-10 and the red-headed female driver is either laughing hysterically or obviously singing at the top of her lungs – that will be me. Wave or honk. And, as you do, please resolve to make the time to be there for the folks in your life. There really isn’t anything more important when all is said and done.