Your Hello May Be the One Word to Save Someone's Life

Copyright 2015                                                        Aleasa M. Word

Tonight, as I sat looking at a blank screen wondering what to blog about since I hadn't written in a while, the news flash came across my phone that the late Whitney Houston's daughter Bobbi Kristina had passed. Many felt that when she went into a coma months ago that she was gone then. A lot of people felt she'd gone on to be with her mother in spirit and her family was left to be with her only  in physical form until they were ready to let go.

So tragic is the life of this young girl who left this world as we know it at the tender age of 22 years old. There are countless stories that have been reported on social media about the sadness she felt after the loss of her mother. Stories also circulated about dysfunction she endured growing up as speculation continues to mount about what really happened to her.  No matter how much people talked about her family woes, one thing for sure is that her family loved her in their own way despite the things that went on in their lives.  I wonder, how much she really knew they did.  

The passing of this young lady and the sadness it brings to all of us is immeasurable. Her father and family feeling it the most need respect and support but sadly won't get it from many who jsut don't have the good sense to let them grieve in peace.

This leads to my point this day. How many other Bobbi Kristina's are there in the world today? How many other young women are just making it day by day and deep down inside hurting so much because of the loss of a loved one, loneliness  or a heartbreak of some sort?  There are so many young women in need of love an support. Sometimes we have no idea how much support people need until it is too late. They may seem ok on the outside as if they somehow are getting by in life. We go back to our normal lives forgetting that ok on the outside doesn't always mean ok on the inside. We think because they are young they are supposed to be so resilient they can deal with anything and keep pushing forward.

Today I challenge you to be there for someone. I challenge you to take a moment to check in on the young people around you.  We often forget that they too have trials and tribulations even if they don't have kids, a husband, wife or mounting debt like many of us older people. At the end of the day, sorrow is sorrow and we don't serve anyone well by suggesting that what others feel is not big in comparison to what we've gone through. You never know the day nor the hour that one hug or one hello from you may save a life.

Recently, I had a conversation with a young woman and could feel her spirit was low I'd seen her struggle in her eyes each day. I didn't say much because I knew she didn't want to share but she was definitely struggling. I went home one night and she came to mind. I was overwhelmed with a feeling of impending doom for this young lady. I prayed hard for her. I felt sorrow for her.  I was worried about her. She stayed on my mind all night long and I couldn't wait until the morning to see if I'd see her walk past me at her normal time. As I went about my way that next morning and arrived at my destination I waited anxiously. Shortly thereafter, there she was walking by me. She looked worn out.  She looked like she'd been through a war but was there nonetheless.  I was so relieved. At first I was relieved for myself to be honest. I was relieved that my feelings and thoughts about her were wrong. Later she and I talked and I found out my feelings weren't wrong but she survived one of the darkest nights in her entire life.

I remember a christian song "somebody prayed for me."  I thought at that moment, for that one night I was the one who prayed for her.  And as I think back over my life I couldn't help but think and wonder about how many people prayed for me when I was in dark places, especially after I lost my infant son many years ago and when I later went through two very ugly and painful divorces.  I was that young woman. I was the one with that spirit that so wounded I didn't know if I'd survive the night sometimes.

For all of those young women we owe them our love and compassion. Wake up everyone, go check on someone young and old. You'll never know whose life you may help to save today.

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