Good Samaritan #HAWMC

Good Samaritan:  We love random acts of kindness. Write about a time that you benefitted from the kindness of a stranger, or a time when you were the one extending a helping hand. How did you feel? #HAWMC

MY ANSWER:

I remember having a terrible week last fall where I was fighting a flare up with my psoriasis and depression (I have bipolar 2).  I also have polycystic ovarian syndrome and Myasthenia Gravis; everyday, I fight pain and fatigue.  It’s very hard to function when you are in constant pain–much less hold down a job and write.  One rough evening,  I played Eye of the Tiger, put on my Rocky boxing gloves, and prayed for strength to get up.  Then, a card arrived in the mail from my friend Amy.  Amy has been one of my best friends since high school; we were co-captains of Speech Team together.  Amy married her high school sweetheart, Alan.  Together, they are the funniest couple I know.  Amy and Alan now have four kids together.  Anyway, this is an excerpt from Amy’s uplifting card:

Remembering you in my prayers today…May I be able to comfort you with the comfort I have received from the Lord.  I was reflecting that God uses my mistakes, failures, and migraines to remind me of how much I am dependent upon Him for strength and howI need to credit Him for victory.  I also was praising God for being the “God of all comfort”…Remember you are remembered and loved.

Amy’s card reminded me that I’m not alone, even though it sometimes seems like it.  Loneliness is a part of living with chronic illness.  Even though we hadn’t talked in about a month, Amy sent me a card when I needed it most.

Many Ways to Show Kindness

Here are some other random acts of kindness friends have done that have helped me:

• Sent a text message asking me how I’m doing or saying “I’m thinking of you”
• Sent an email
• Visited me; I remember my cousin Shelly dropping by one night (she called an hour before) when I moved into my new apartment, where I lived alone
•  Brought flowers; one time my aunt stopped by with flowers during a time when I was bedridden for over a year
• Sent a random gift; I remember last spring my friend Tony sent me some New Kids on the Block marbles from 1990

What acts of kindness make you feel good?

Stay tuned!

Tomorrow, I’ll be back to answer WEGO’s next question.

–Your Stylist, Jessica Gimeno