There are days everything lines up nice and smooth. Then there are days that resemble a tangled ball of yarn that has fallen to the floor, picked up by the dog and run around the house creating chaos.
This is one of those weeks. With the girls in school, both Alex and my cars at the mechanic until who knows when, and Alex on a business trip, trying to negotiate school pick up for the 2 big girls in addition to Dance class was a puzzle. Neither of us knows when our cars will be fixed. I could not think up a solution on my own.
I asked for help. It’s funny, when you finally exhaust all your solutions and reach out, help is there waiting. I was on the phone with my friend Wendy and I thought to ask, but I didn’t. I couldn’t bring myself to say it out loud. After the call ended, I sat for a few minutes looking at my phone. Then, a few minutes more thinking what I would say. I couldn’t bring myself to fully ask to borrow her car, but I did ask her if she would pick me and the girls up and drop us at dance class Wednesday afternoon. Even better than I could have expected, she is going to loan me her car for the afternoon. “I’m really glad you asked. It’s my pleasure to help!”
How come it is so hard to ask for help? Those that care about us are willing and would love to help us, but they just don’t know how. Asking for help is something that I still struggle with. I feel like I should be able to do it all even though I recognize that is unrealistic.
You should have seen me last night as Alex cleaned my kitchen up after cleaning out the refrigerator. It’s his way to give me a break and help me out with the little things I don’t get to as much. I squirm in my seat from embarrassment that I can’t do it all. I used to feel that I would be judged a failure if it all wasn’t done. Now, I appreciate the thoughtfulness and I am slowly accepting help.
People show they care in so many different ways. Sometimes, we Care-givers, need to take a break and allow others the opportunity to care for us. Help is all around us..sometimes the most difficult part of a difficult situation is just asking for help.