Thanks for your support in recent weeks. It reminds me: it’s so important to reach out to others in times of stress, illness or other need. I offer these tips (please add your own):
- Call. And call again. It matters to your friend, even if they can’t come to the phone. Some friends called even when I couldn’t think or speak clearly. They ended up talking with my husband. We both appreciated their effort.
- Send a card. In these days of quick email, a personal card is a valued touch. Personalize it with your own caring or inspirational words. A few friends reassured me: “This is just a temporary setback, Cynthia. You WILL recover!”
- Use email. Some friends sent me uplifting e-cards and jokes. Some sent me photos of their garden. And friend Carl visited and took photos of our garden, since I couldn’t go to see it myself. Then he sent me a picture of one flower every week. Those jokes, e-cards and photos cheered me.
- If possible, bring soup! Family friend Eva showed up with soup and magazines. I had a concussion and couldn’t read at first. I also had no appetite. But that soup kept me going in the early days after my fall. Later, friends John and Anne travelled a long way to bring us a delicious meal and spend time with my husband and me.
- Ask “How may I help?” My friend Gail, a great cook, kept asking. One day, I realized that I wanted Jamaican food. So Gail cooked oxtail and broad beans (with rice ‘n’ peas) and both couples had a great evening together.
- Pray. Let your friend know you’re sending good vibes and/or praying for him/her and their loved ones. I could see that my family was deeply distressed in the first three weeks after my fall. Knowing friends at church and elsewhere were praying for them was a comfort.
And yes, my friends who wrote via my blog and Facebook: I read your caring wishes as soon as I could. Those wishes warmed my family’s hearts, as well as mine. Thank you.
Cynthia.
Photo below by Hamlin Grange
Cynthia Reyes 
All so true, Cynthia. Thoughtfulness and kindness never go out of style and even the smallest outpouring can make such a difference when we’re feeling low/sick/injured. I have no doubt that the many people who care about you, such a caring person yourself, have made a difference in your recovery. You deserve it!
Thank you, Jeanne!
Hoping you are healing quickly and feeling better!!
Thanks, Tina!
Soup is a great comfort food. I’m glad you’re receiving much love and support Cynthia. Good tips and reminders for me to both give more and be grateful for my health. gentle hugs…
Thanks, Brad! A lovely reply, as always.
You’re most welcome Cynthia.
What a wonderful community and loving friends you have – a true testament to their good hearts and yours. You’re much loved. Adding my best wishes for a quick recovery and a return to all you love and enjoy.
Well said, K. And thanks for the good wishes.
Reblogged this on J. Hale Turner, Author and commented:
Had to share this heartwarming list of thoughtfulness and love … thanks to Cynthia Reyes. Hope she has recovered or speedily recovering.❤️
Thank you, J! I’m honoured that you reblogged.
And here you are still thinking of others! Your words are a wonderful reminder that the little things mean so much. Still sending cheer your way!
Your blog touched my heart and I just had to share. Such tokens of love and care offer healing emotionally, physically and spiritually. Cynthia, I do hope you have recovered or are speedily recovering. ❤️❤️❤️
What a lovely reply, J. Thank you.
A lovely list for us all to remember, thanks Cynthia. Hope your recovery is going well
Thank you. It is.
Yes, heal and I loved the Magnolias, Hamlin at work again?
You got it, Amy. Thank you.
These are all helpful things we can do for those in need. The most powerful, prayer. Praying for you, Cynthia.
Ah, Jill. How lovely.
All good things to do for someone! Sending you best wishes for a speedy recovery from all the cats and crew here at the farm. We’re rooting for you! 🙂
That is a beautiful magnolia!
Lavinia: Thanks to you and Rick (and the feline correspondents?) for rooting for me. I’m sure it is helping.
You covered it! I hope you’re back to best soon.
Thank you, my blogger friend. I shall have to “visit” your garden soon.
So sorry to read about your injury, Cynthia. What wonderful and dependable people you have in your support group. Wishing you a complete and speedy recovery.
Thank you! They are great friends indeed.
Wonderful suggestions, Cynthia. I would add offering to do a grocery shop, or to just sit with the sick/injured friend so the main carer can take some time out. I am glad you have good friends everywhere keeping you in their hearts.
Excellent suggestions
Thank you
What wonderful suggestions Cynthia, thank you for sharing what loving friends and have done to help you through difficult times. That is such a beautiful magnolia, what a kind and thoughtful friend to bring the garden to you ….
Thanks, Kate. They inspired this post. The photo of the magnolia is by my better half, Hamlin. It is lovely.
Such good advice. It’s often hard to know what to do when a friend isn’t well, for whatever reason. Hope you are feeling stronger every day.
So right, Laurie. I’m the same, so I’ll be using my own tips as a reminder!
Great tips to do when you are sick or not. I hope you feel better soon.
Thank you, Lisa. And for the good wish too.
You certainly know whereof you speak! These are excellent reminders!
Glad you like them, Kerry. I figured I’d post them when they were ‘top of mind’.
What a helpful, useful list! I do hope you are mending well and your family have recovered from their shock. I have been lax in my messages to friends in trouble lately and that pains me to think of. I must do better xx
When you contact them they’ll understand Clare. No worries.
Thank-you, Cynthia.
A friend of mine is doing chemo. I know she gets really tired and can’t come to the phone. I haven’t rung yet because I didn’t want to disturb our tire her – I sent her a card and some silly jokes instead – but after reading this I think I feel a lot more confident about giving her a call. Thank you for your words. They helped.
Hope you are feeling a lot better now.
Cheers
MTM
Thank you, MT. When my friend was going through chemo, she said she appreciated the calls, and also loved when they spoke about regular things — not just her health.
I’m glad you’re feeling well enough to share these thoughts – you have been often in mine. I would add, for those who have the energy and ability to enjoy them, send little glimpses into your life to enliven theirs, something I was asked to do by a family member in Jamaica and have done since. A few words and pictures can cheer someone who needs it.
Well said, Margaret. Thank you.
A super list Cynthia .. and what wonderful friends you have! 🙂
A friend in times of need is a friend indeed!
A beautiful and heartfelt post, Cynthia. I hope it’s not too late to send hugs ♥♥
Never too late to send hugs, Tina!
💕💕💕
Important reminders Cynthia. I hope you’re feeling stronger every day. 🙂
Thank you, Deb. I’m feeling brighter, and that matters a lot!
Yes it does. And I can tell by your writing. 🙂 x
J’espère que tu vas mieux et que tu vois le bout de cette période sombre 🙂 Bon WE
Merci beaucoup, Christiane. Bonne journee.
Cynthia, you are an amazing lady; even in your own distressing times, you think about how to teach us to bless others. I’ve got a blank card waiting for me to write in it for a friend recovering from a cancer operation. Yes, we’ve been texting each other—but your post has reminded me how special a card can be. I’m going to hop to it and get that blessing stamped and delivered.
Hugs ~ Wendy ❤
Thank you, Wendy, for this generous reply. Wishing you a good day, my friend.