help someone the way I wish I had been helped.

I lost my passport in Cuba about six months back, along with my bank card and all of my money. I didn’t even have a visa. I would have never made it out of there, if it weren’t for the kindness of random strangers. I didn’t have 22 cucs for my exit tax- I stood at customs crying, and without asking, a random guy came up and gave me the money I needed to board the plane and get home.
Once in Cancun, I tried to get a flight home, but couldn’t get one until 8 am the next morning. It was 3pm when I purchased the ticket. I figured it was going to be a really long night. I had no food, my soap had been stolen in Cuba (it’s a hot ticket item there- really hard to find and expensive), I had no money. I was really just shit out of luck. I cleaned myself up in the bathroom, and sat at the arrivals- wondering how I was going to get through the next 14 or 15 hours without food in my stomach.
I was writing in my journal, when I met a girl who was picking up her sister. We talked, and realized that we had been to a lot of the same places in Guatemala. Through conversation, she found out what my situation was- and TOLD ME I was going to go with her to her hotel and get cleaned up, eat something, and have a place to sleep. She even bought me a bottle of water and some almond cookies, along with bus fare to get back to the airport the next morning. It was the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.
I want to be that person for someone. I want to be on the helping end, because I know first hand, how life can deal you a shitty hand. This is a big goal of mine.

I saw this on someone else’s list and was rather touched at the thought. I often am far too harsh on others, not considering what I would (or had) do in the very same situation. I hope more opportunities arise where I can exercise this.

I have struggled with an unknown illness for years. I was diagnosed in May 2007 with Lyme and to co-infection. In that expanse of time, my friends grew tired of me and my family just got use to it. When I got really sick, couldn’t walk, remember anything, eat or have the energy to go up the stairs I was just an inconvenience. When some lingering friends figured out I was about 5 months from death, they figured I would get better in a week and be back to helping them, giving them advice and having fun with them. I was not and they decided to go away because dealing with someone who is sick is not fun. Even my bf found my illness and inconvenience and distanced himself, wondered why I wasn’t there for him. .and we broke up.

My (ex)bf finally got diagnosed with Lyme and I decided to be there the way I believe a friend should be there for another friend. You cannot walk in the darkness alone like that, I wouldn’t let an enemy do that. He got a PICC in like me and I called him everyday, I bought him food to ease his bills and balance out medical costs and whatnot. I visit him once a week, make sure he is eating and he is ok. I told him anything he needs he just tells me and it will be done, no questions asked.

Friday, he went into the ER yesterday morning in septic shock possibly due to his PICC being infected – he almost died. Whoever found him, called me since I had text messaged him around the time they found him and was able to give all the information on his illness. I called the doctor’s office that was treating him so all the information would be available when he arrived at the ER.

He’s in the ICU, hopefully will be out tonight if not tomorrow, which is a miracle. I was the first to the hospital since his friends and family are all down south. I talked with the doctors, I notified his parents and friends and worked on coordinating everyone coming to stay/visit him. I wiped his brow, I got him water, I held his hand, I called those he cared about and let him talk on the phone with them a bit (he couldn’t move his arms). I bothered the nurses for him, asked him what I could do, got his personal stuff together and invested the help of his roommate for other things.

I went to see him the next morning, found him surrounded by his friends and family, looking much healthier and happy that everyone was there. He was talking and laughing and not so stressed. Leaving the hospital I realized I did what I wished someone else would have done for me. I helped and am helping him in the way I wanted to be helped. In walking away, I misted up a little because had it been me. . .I don’t think anyone would be standing around my bed, holding my hand. No one would call.

Other than, of course, close family whom I love and would never take for granted and who would be there, for sure!

I don’t feel particularity fulfilled even though I believe I have accomplished this goal. I feel more used and alone than before. I don’t regret it. I would do it all (and will continue the calling, visits and food until he has moved, as I believe he is planning) again.

When ever I see this happen, like if someone drops money on the ground, two things go through my head, one is should I grab it for myself, or should I give it back to the person who droped it. I usually give it back to the person because when I think about it, I think if i dropped my money, I would be sad if I didn’t get it back.

Aaron<3

I had been thinking of this goal in a broader sense when I found it. I thought it was a beautiful thing that I’ve been thinking of for some time. I had a pretty shitty childhood and have always wanted to help another kid in my situation when I was an adult. But it’s nice to realize you can do this everyday. I saw a guy lose a $20 bill on the street the other day and chased him down to give it to him. He was so stunned I wondered for a minute if I had the right person. But it made me feel I have some good karma coming to me after I lost my monthly metrocard. That hurt.

not once but twice and i think it’s the best way to “pay it forward”
did it again very recently

Ive been getting better at this…Ive helped many people, but not in the way I was helped yet.

I really want to do this. I was taught by my friend how to do many things and ultimatly made my life go soooo much better. I want to help someone in the way my best friend helped me.

It seems I have the opportunity to help a lot of people but for some reason, I just don’t. I am trying to find out why it’s so hard to pick up someones ticket when they don’t realize it fell out of their pocket or give my change to one of the preforming musicians at the train station or give up my seat for someone on the train. The best I can do, it seems, is send mail and I don’t even do that anymore.

All these opportunities seem to take only seconds. . .fractions of seconds. .and then they are gone. It’s like I am numb to those things that would make a huge difference in someone else’s life. . or at least ease the day a bit.

But, then I wonder, maybe I am a living example of why I need to help people. Just little things. Then maybe they won’t be so scared, embarrassed or think it’s somehow “wrong” to lend a hand and not expect some type of payback.

If I could help one person the way I wished I had been helped then maybe they would be able to do it too.

Like the guy who apologized for overhearing my phone conversation about what train I was taking but told me he thought it was on the wrong platform. ..and I was. I don’t think I would have had the guts to do what he did.

Today i helped someone ;he came to me with some problem i could solve with some effort .i made that effort and helped him solve the problem.