Boss

You Don't Have to Do Everything Alone

When I wrote this scene, I referenced the heroine's determination to handle her troubles by herself even though she had a friend offering to lighten the burden. She is stubborn and used to dealing with her problems alone. Reading this excerpt, I think of the last year and how we have had to figure out how to survive various lockdowns. We've kept our distance from friends and family. Our shopping habits and our workout habits have changed. Our lives have changed. And, through all of this, have we carried the burden alone, or have we asked a friend for help? Sometimes, all it takes is a phone call or text, "Hey, I'm feeling low, care to send me something funny? Or, How are you? Do you have time for a Zoom call and coffee? I know of friends who are hitting the wall; the isolation and distancing are too much. Plans for holidays and special celebrations keep getting delayed. They ache, in need of a physical hug from a friend or loved one. Virtual hugs have lost their power, and all we can offer is an ear to listen and a heart to care until we can give a physical hug and a helping hand to let them know they aren't alone.