All a Person Needs

Her daughter loved visiting the older couple who lived next door but after the lady’s husband died the daughter said, “I don’t want to visit her anymore.” “She’s so sad every time I see her…and she still talks to her husband too. It makes me a little uncomfortable…I don’t know what to do.” Her mom said, “I understand your feelings but surely you have to see now that her husband is gone…how lonely she must be.” “But what can I do to help her?” she asked…”She’s acting awful strange. It’s not the same when I visit now…everything has changed.” Her mom looked into her eyes then patter her on her head. “I think the best thing you can do…is just be her friend.” she said. “Let her be sad, let her cry, let her be somber. let her be grim… Remember she lost someone she loved…and she wasn’t done loving him.” “I imagine right now she needs a friend…who quietly by her side will stay and listen…just listen…until her sorrow fades away.” And so the daughter followed her mom’s suggestion… and though she’s not sure exactly when slowly she noticed her friend began to smile again. She began talking about other things…found other reasons to be glad… until the day thoughts of her husband…no longer made her sad. And the daughter learned a valuable lesson… about how one doesn’t always have to intercede…. sometimes just knowing a friend is near is all a person needs.