Open It Up

Self-sufficient
Independent
Reticent about asking for help
Not wanting to bother people
Preferring to give than to receive
Sometimes in the extreme
Priding yourself on that
Relishing the joy associated with helping others
But stubborn about reaching out and asking for help
Denying them that same pleasure
Until you are forced to
You become so weak, you can hardly speak or move
You are in so much pain
When there is no possible way that you can do it alone
Where without them, without them...you are not sure what would have become of you
And the kindness
The loving caress, word, gesture
Brings tears to your eyes
And you are overwhelmed by the generosity
It feels awkward, but you embrace the rawness of the emotions
You marvel at how easily strangers have become your best friends
How much friends really love you
And how your acceptance of their kindness blesses them as much as you are blessed by them


Keri S. Smith