Sissys Show of Support

I had been fighting with the software program that I used to build my website. The software program had a bug in it and would occasionally anger the main brains of my computer. Without warning, my computer would lock the program shut and forbid me to enter the website's file. I never knew from day to day which time I saved the file and closed it would be the last time I'd be able to open it. It didn't happen very often, but when it happened, it was like the file no longer existed. My computer had put an invisible prison wall around it and I was no longer allowed to enter in and work within the file. I would have to recreate the website from scratch every time this happened.

The final straw was when I had gone in to do a major overhaul on the site and couldn't open the file. I spent two days completely rebuilding the site from scratch. I uploaded the new file onto the web. I was really proud of my new and improved website. I'd barely slept the night before because of all the work involved. I was dead tired at 7 o'clock that night as I sent out a newsletter inviting my readers to go check it out and give me some feedback as to what they thought of all the changes I'd just made.

That's when I found out that one of the main links was leading people into the wrong page. The result was that nobody could get to the newsletters. They would not be able to sign up anymore. Okay, that's not a big deal. I just had to open the file, redirect the link, reload the site unto the web, and go to bed. It should only take about 15 minutes. With any luck, I would be in bed by 8 o'clock! The site slammed shut again! I had only finished rebuilding it an hour or so earlier! I was going to have to rebuild the site from scratch right then so that when my readers woke up the next morning they could see the site working properly. Any random web traveler stumbling upon my site would not be able to sign up for my newsletters. I couldn't tell you if I was more angry or exhausted as I began from scratch yet again.

When my thirteen year old daughter was getting ready to go to bed a few hours later, she asked me how much longer I'd be up working. I told her the truth; it was going to be the wee hours of the morning before I would be finished. She completely understood my commitment to Tomorrow's Edge and knew that I would forgo yet another night of sleep to get it up and running correctly. True to her nature, she was outraged at the unfairness of the situation.

She volunteered to stay up with me as a show of her love and support. I told her there was really nothing she could do to help me, and that it would mean more to me if she would get a good night's sleep and then agree to baby-sit her little brother in the morning. I would really need to sleep in and it would mean so much more to me if she would get up with my two year old and keep him out of my room so that I could sleep. She insisted that she would do both.

She went and gathered up a bunch of her art supplies and hung out with me until I finished. She even went a step further and ran me a nice hot bath as I was finishing up the last touches on the site. She hung out with me as I soaked in the tub talking with me about everything and nothing. Then she tucked me into bed and turned out the lights. She was so proud of me for completely rebuilding the site and not screaming and crying or giving up and quitting. That little show of support meant so much to me that I almost cried as I fell asleep.

What a wonderful thing we can learn from her. How many times do we simply let someone struggle alone because we have no idea how to help them? I can't begin to tell you how much it meant to me to have her simple companionship. It was during those hours between 1 and 3 am when I could barely see straight that having her there just to keep me awake meant so much to me. No, she didn't lift a finger. No, she didn't bail me out. No, she didn't fix it. She simply said, "You will not go through this alone. I will be here to cheer you on." Her presence made an ugly exhausting nightmare into a beautiful example of the power of love. I felt so good by the time I melted into my pillows that I had no anger or resentment over the event. She made it all okay just by caring enough to show up.

It's easy to help our loved one's when we know what to do. Roll up your sleeves, dive in, and get to work! But what about those times when we're at a complete loss for words? What about when we don't have the tools or resources to help them? What about when their problem or challenge is completely over our head and beyond our area of expertise? What then? Typically, we stumble over some sort of an apology mixed in with excusing ourselves from the problem. We wish them well and say a little prayer on their behalf. Next time, consider simply being fully present so they are not completely alone in their struggle. Seems stupid and small, but it's not. It's wonderful and huge.

By the way, the next morning, the software locked up again. I finally invested in an upgrade!

Copyright 2004, Skye Thomas, Tomorrow's Edge

About The Author

Skye Thomas began writing books and articles with an everyday practical approach to life in 1999 after twenty years of studying spirituality, metaphysics, astrology, personal growth, motivation, and parenting. After years of high heels and business clothes, she is currently enjoying working from home in her pajamas. Go to www.TomorrowsEdge.net to read more of her articles and to get a free preview of one of her books.

Skye@TomorrowsEdge.net

---

Melting Snow

I love the sounds of melting snow-plink, plink, ting, ting,... Read More

Re-Developing Your Vision

One of the most important things we can do for... Read More

TIES that BIND

I have no idea how it started or who launched... Read More

Succeed by Whistling While You Work

Mark Twain (1835-1910) believed that having fun is important if... Read More

Energy Work Basics Part 4: Imagine!

Einstein said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge".Did you know... Read More

The Art of Selfishness

Mature selfishness is the cornerstone of effectively living with passion... Read More

Delay Can Reveal Doubts

Confident Expectation! The feeling of 'confidence' is the assurance that... Read More

Smile! Banish Your Fear

Changing our physiology is one of the best ways to... Read More

A Reason For Living in a Nutshell

In brief, my book A REASON FOR LIVING is the... Read More

Surefire Ways to Develop a Thankful Attitude

Spend some time thinking about how good you have it.... Read More

Reach Your Dreams

About fifteen years ago I was rummaging through some old... Read More

My name is Smarty Jones -- Embracing Gods Glory

Our deepest fear us not that we are inadequate. Our... Read More

Embracing Your Wildness

As small children, we were all wild. Not unlike the... Read More

Leading a World Class Life

Every four years the world is given the gift of... Read More

Re-Define Realistic: True Power Series

This is the eighth article in our "True Power" series.... Read More

Healing from Within

"We are responsible for everything in our lives, including how... Read More

The Procrastinating Perfectionist

Are you a procrastinating perfectionist? I once read an article... Read More

The Cracked Pot

Letters on Life#3Some experiences you never forget. In some of... Read More

Making Commitments of Love and Courage

There is a story about a little girl who suffered... Read More

Whats Simple?

If you walk up to a stranger in the grocery... Read More

Caring in My Sisters Way: A Lesson On Judgement

Last summer, I had an acute case of bronchitis. I... Read More

The Beauty of Life

"An unexamined life is not worth living."-- SocratesI have just... Read More

Fulfill Your Dreams: Believe in You

What we believe plays a very big role in outcomes... Read More

Numbers

Direct Answers - Column for the week of May 19,... Read More

A Dream is Just a Dream ... Or is It?

Some people dismiss dreams as nonsense, thought patterns running amuck... Read More

Afraid of The Light?

Plato once said, "It is easy to forgive a small... Read More

The Eyes of the Clown

There are few enough miracles in life, God knows. I... Read More

The Spectacular You

I recently received a letter addressed to Spectacular Rachelle Lee.... Read More

Your World Your Way - Trusting Yourself In Business

"It doesn't interest me who you are, or how you... Read More

Clicking to Good Vibrations!

Recently my dad visited me in Victoria, BC. He is... Read More

Remember Within

Remember when you were really young? It was an era... Read More

Dont Ever Give Up

There is a reason I never gave up. A reason... Read More

Anamcara - The Blessing of Peace

"Come out of the circle of time and into... Read More