Under the surface

Friendship is one of the few relationships in life that is completely voluntary.  When it comes to family, you love and support them because you are cut from the same fabric.  In the workplace, co-workers are co-workers.  In the NICU, Gabriel's nurses are assigned to him.  Who we choose to make friends with, though,  is completely under our control.  I believe that, in this case, God sent each and every one of Gabriel's primary nurses to us...He hand picked them and they have all become friends.

In some cases, the people around us become friends out of convenience, but in more extreme instances, shared experiences and hard times bring people together.  Although everyone in the unit saw us go through  hardest time in our lives, it didn't have to be hard on them....but it was.  Shari, Rubi, Abby, Tracy, Ashley, Michele and Emily  became like adopted parents to Gabriel, and when we weren't there, we knew he was taken care of and loved.  They began to open up to us about their lives, and one very important detail became apparent to me....it's not just us.  Everybody has a story.  No matter how "together" they seem on the surface, there are parts to everyone's life that are so so hard, and everyone needs a friend to talk it out.  Whether it be a pending marriage, a looming divorce or issues with children, everyone has their baggage and needs something.  A single mother worried about her kids and how she will cover the bills, a daughter afraid for her sick mother's life, a husband facing surgery and a debilitating disorder - every story we heard opened our eyes to the tendency towards indifference in our society.  We go through our days so intent on our "to do" list and so single-mindedly focused on our own issues that we forget to see what is going on right before our eyes.  We forget to help one another.  We forget to listen, to have sympathy, to empathize, to offer support and love. I know I am guily of it.  I have hidden under my own introverted nature for years, using it as an excuse not to get too close to those that I see daily. I resolve, therefore, to no longer be apathetic to the people in my life.  If it is possible for me to be a blessing to them, I will be.  I want to allow God to use me in any way possible, because under the surface, everyone has a story and we are here to help each other.

 

When you're down and troubled and you need some loving care
and nothing, whoa, nothing is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me and soon I will be there

to brighten up even your darkest nights

You just call out my name, and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call and I'll be there

 yeah, yeah.....you've got a friend.

If the sky above you should turn dark and full of clouds
and that old north wind should begin to blow,
keep your head together and call my name out loud.
Soon I will be knocking upon your door.

You just call out my name, and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call and I'll be there.

Hey, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend? People can be so cold.
They'll hurt you and desert you. Well, they'll take your soul if you let them,
oh yeah, but don't you let them.

You just call out my name, and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call, Lord, I'll be there, yeah, yeah,
you've got a friend. You've got a friend.
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend. Ain't it good to know you've got a friend.
Oh, yeah, yeah, you've got a friend.