Do You Need Some Help?

Hand © Arto Myllys via freeimages.com

While driving to church, my mom suddenly turned the car around and said, "Whoa! A lady fell. It doesn't matter if I'm late or not, I have to go back and help her."

I was a little confused, but I saw a hint of her sweatshirt. As we got closer, she was hunched over near a stop sign. A runner ran right past her without a second thought.

A young boy was with her. My mom pulled close and said, "Do you need some help?" No response from the woman. I don't even think she moved. The boy said, "My aunt is right there."

Indeed she was, but she was still in her car and hadn't gotten to where they were. 

"Well, I will come back and see if she needs help," Mama said. So, she turned around on that little side road and waited just a minute.

By that time the boy's aunt had gotten to the woman and was getting out of her car.

"Do you need some help?" Mama asked.

The woman gave a swipe of her hand and walked towards the woman. Mama got out and went to help them. The woman was now standing, but it was obvious from the way she was walking that she was in pain. All three of them helped her into the vehicle.

Finally, the boy's aunt recognized my mom. "You're Madison's mom," she said.

"Yes," Mama replied.

The boy's aunt said the woman had some health problems. Mama was talking to her, but said she didn't really listen until she said, "I have a daughter who is in a wheelchair and she has to fight everyday."

She told me the woman started listening then. Mama said, "Don't you give up." The woman nodded her head.

I just can't get her face out of my mind. Seeing her slumped down on the sidewalk clinging to the sign reminded me of how lots of people are. You are so beaten down by life you don't even respond to offers of help. You are just there.

And in that place, many people ignore you. They don't say anything. And you stay fixed in that defeated position. 

Just when you think you are going to stay in that place forever, someone comes along and says, "Do you need some help?"

You think your mind is playing tricks on you, so you continue to sit in silence. Afraid to hope for something better.

That voice is persistent. And now, there are actually people who prove they care by doing something. People forget about the clock and where they have to be. The only thing that matters is the broken person on the sidewalk.