Friendship rediscovered

I'm confined to my home, a new knee in place and the journey back to wellness - I believe the health is there, the wellness is getting the new knee to straighten and bend.  So what is my goal - by next March 2014 I want to sit cross legged again!  And to achieve this I must work at the exercises that I have been given by my healthcare team - it's going to be challenging and there will be good days and bad days, but I have a clear goal in front of me - now to break it down into smaller steps.  I'm treating this like many other goals, small steps that move me forward.

One amazing discovery I have made since I arrived at home is that I am so lucky, I live on my own for the most part, I have no family close by, there are no nurses coming to visit, just the incredible generosity of friends who have put their lives aside to ensure that my journey to wellness is as easy as it can be.  I am overwhelmed and inspired by the number of people, who when I put my pride aside and asked for help, have been so giving.  Checking in with me each day, popping in with ice, food and company.  Ensuring that I can get to the appointments that have been made for me by my healthcare team.  It appears so simple, ask for help and friends willingly show up, however that first step is amazingly difficult to take, for me anyway.  What was it that made it so difficult - pride? the unwillingness to 'burden' others; the difficultly of showing others, good friends though they might be, the me underneath the paint and make up?  It interests me that it was such a big step for me, me who values my privacy, me who could do anything - I had to.  How much of my life journey may have been different if I had asked for help during those years on my own with my boys?  What is it that holds us back.  I spoke to one women some time ago about a difficult period in her life and why she hadn't done things in a different way - her response was that she didn't want anyone to know her business.  I asked why not - she wouldn't/couldn't answer.  She is stuck and unwilling to become unstuck - I can show her how, but she must make the decision.  

I'm interested in my reaction, what was it in my life that stopped me opening to others?  Was there a time when I was more open, what happened that changed things - sure I can blame it on my childhood, but it was my choice. Why did I make that choice, and how am I going to change my way of being when another challenge comes?  What about you, can you think back to a moment in time when you made a choice, and another when you changed that choice?  For now I'm thankful that I made that decision to ask for help, what a wonderful gift I allowed myself, my thanks to others is in allowing them to see me - who I am, warts and all!