The Humility of Help

The Humility of Help
            Help, requested or offered, is a humbling concept. “Help” implies vulnerability.
            An aging mother who struggles to take a bath safely.
            A young adult son without the language to explain his agitation.
            A grandfather with dementia who requires constant supervision.
            A daughter dependent on others to provide nutrition through a feeding tube.
            A teenage boy unable to tie his own shoes. Or clip his own fingernails. Or take a shower unaided.
            Those of us providing help to loved ones often need help ourselves. Help with logistics. Help juggling time and money resources under constant strain. Help recharging our own bodies and spirits so we can carry on.
            For some of us, reaching out for help feels harder than dealing with caregiving challenges.
            Somewhere, there is a person or organization who can ease your struggle.
            Ask for help. If nothing works out the first time, ask again. Reach out again until you find support.
            When I’m feeling discouraged, lacking support I need at a given moment, I offer help to someone who is having a harder time than me. That never fails to give a lift.
            Offer help. If your help doesn’t match someone’s needs, try again. Somewhere, someone needs what you have to offer.
            To the countless people who have helped our family and other families coping with similar struggles: Thank you for your heartfelt kindness, and for humbling yourselves to walk with us through our challenges.
            This week’s Hike Notes introduce Black Sands Beach, a rugged but inviting stretch of beach. Reached by a sometimes steep trail and stairs, the path to Black Sands Beach offers dramatic views of the Marin Headlands shore.
            Please feel free to share. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photos!
            The list of hikes is getting long! Please check the Quick View Hike List or scroll down the main Hikes page to see the current list of hike notes.
New this week:
Hike Notes 31: Black Sands Beach