Day 38: Can You Throw Me a Line?

As the sun faded over the tree-lined hills, the glow from the nearly-full moon blazed brighter and brighter. Boat gently rocking on still water, an owl hooting nearby; the shrill cry from an unidentified bird; insects singing their night songs...what a peaceful way to end the day.

Feeling grateful and ready to head home, Malcolm turned the key in the engine...rrrrr...chug...rrrr. Not a comforting sound. He tried again, and again, and again...until the smell of gas alerted us to give the engine a rest.

We were about two miles from home. Before we knew we would be stranded, we had gone out of our way to find a secluded spot on the lake from which to watch the sunset. There were no houses nearby and the temperature was dropping fast. It had been over an hour since we had seen another boat.

Resting the engine for a while, Malcolm tried again....rrrr....chug....chug...rrrr. We were literally dead in the water. Snuggling in close for warmth we tried to console ourselves by focusing on the magnificent array of stars twinkling in the fall sky. We joked that it could be worse, and created a number of those possible scenarios.

Hesitant to "be a bother," we finally found the number for a neighbor and called for help. Luckily, they were here at the lake, and not at their home in Birmingham. We don't know these neighbors well. We have done little, if nothing to promote friendship with them. They immediately offered to come and tow us with their boat. Malcolm thanked them profusely. As we waited, it was easier to enjoy the night sky, knowing help was on the way.

When our neighbors arrived, they pulled up close and threw us a rope to tie to our boat. We chatted amicably while the boat was being secured...learned a little bit about who was staying with them this week...how they had been caring for elderly parents...that their grown children had moved back home. Details of their lives we had not taken any time to learn until this moment, made possible by the rope which now connected us.

Reflecting on the generous spirit of our neighbors I thought about how hard it is for most of us to ask someone to "throw us a rope." Pride, discomfort with vulnerability, not wanting to inconvenience others, and a number of other reasons, make it tough to reach out in our darkest moments.

Conversely, I also thought about a family member who has been asking me to "throw her a line" in a roundabout way. Feeling busy, I haven't taken the time to offer that which might help tow her toward home.

Independence is valued greatly in our world. Yet, it is opening to interdependence that we learn the gentle flow of giving...receiving...giving...receiving...LOVING and LIVING together.

Do you need someone to throw you a line? Are you stuck, sad, hurt and afraid to ask for help? Sit with this...what do you need? who might help you? how could you ask?

Is there someone who has been reaching out for help? How could you offer a hand without feeling resentful?

Well, I need to run next door to deliver my "thank you" gift. I'm looking forward to getting to know my neighbor better. Namaste