I have a hard time asking for help.  I like to be independent and it’s hard for me to admit that I can’t always do it all.

Friday night I brought my boys to our ward (church congregation) Christmas party.  My husband wasn’t able to go with us so I was on my own.  I was a little worried about how it would all turn out.  I wasn’t going to ask anyone for help but at the same time I wished someone would notice me by myself and offer to sit and help me out.  It didn’t happen.  I didn’t really need help, if I did I would have asked for it, but a little recognition from someone would have been nice.  (Makes me think of this post.)

At 7:30 on Saturday morning I had to go pick up my bountiful basket.  I sent Big Boy out about 7:20 to start the car so it would warm up.  He came in a few minutes later and told me that when he tried to start it it just clicked.  Not exactly how I wanted to start my weekend.  My husband was still gone with our other car sitting in an airport parking lot.  I couldn’t bring myself to call a neighbor or friend at 7:30 on a Saturday morning but I also didn’t want to not get my food especially if it was going to be awhile until I could drive to the grocery store.  I loaded Baby Boy up in the stroller, left strict instructions with Big Boy to lock the door behind me and not answer the door or the phone unless it was me calling and to call me if he needed anything.  Then I left my 7 and 5 year olds home alone while I ran a mile to the pick-up site with Baby Boy in the stroller in about 20 degree weather.  By the time I got there they were calling me because I was a half hour late.  When I told them my situation they girl in charge said “Why didn’t you call me?”  Then another girl who was just there getting her basket offered to drive mine home for me.  She offered me a ride too but didn’t have a car seat so I told her I’d be fine walking home.

When I got home I saw the one of my neighbors had called.  She didn’t leave a message so I didn’t call her back.  Well, this morning my car wouldn’t start again.  I had a friend come help me jump start it and I’ll hopefully get the battery fixed today but when I got back inside my neighbor called again.  She had noticed that I was having trouble with my car and called to make sure I didn’t need any help.  This neighbor is older, her kids are my age, and she recently had neck surgery.  In spite of all that she is dealing with, she noticed that I might need help and didn’t wait to offer it.

I guess what I’m getting at is that there are many times in life when we can help others.  Small things that make a big difference to someone.  My neighbor didn’t help me but her offer to help lifted me.  These last few days have helped me to realize that there are opportunities to help others all around us.  All we have to do is open our eyes and hearts and notice them.  I hope that I can notice the help that others need more often and not be afraid to offer what I can offer.