Help

"To ease another's heartache is to forget one's own."

Abraham Lincoln

Someone once said, "helping is contagious." In fact, help forms in a variety of ways and is appreciated all over the world. Being able to lend a hand and take the time to make a difference in the world is beyond kindness. Growing up in a time of desperation and need, I experienced this need at a very young age. Hunger swept like a hurricane into our lives and destroyed every refuge in our lives. I was only 5-years-old and could not comprehend the fact that food was scarce. There was nothing to do and nowhere to turn. One day we heard a knock on our door. My mother opened the door and began to laugh hysterically. The strangers introduced themselves as the volunteers of the United Nations and wanted to help us. They provided us with food and took care of us. I will never forget their help, kindness, and time because without them my family would never survive. Now, there are countless families who are struggling to make ends meet and are in desperate need of food. Certain organization like the Second Harvest Food Bank is lending a hand to all these families. It doesn't matter what your income, orientation, or race is. This organization helps everybody and does not discriminate against anybody. There are over 175,000 families who are relying on Second Harvest Food Bank to feed their family and protect their loves ones from this economic crisis. An epidemic that destroys every life, every family, and every house it touches.

I wanted to share a very life-touching story with you all today:

"A sudden illness left Stan unable to walk, out of work, and struggling to provide for his family. Even though he recieves an unemployment check and his wife is working, the total is not enough to make ends meet for themselves and their three children. While Stan trains for a new career as a bus driver, he relies on food from Second Harvest to help his family get through this difficult time."

A touching story and an amazing recovery. Life is full of difficulties but time and care can mend every pain in one's heart.