I Helped Him Cry
By Vickey Pahnke-Taylor
There is
a precious little story of a young boy who asked his father if
he could go across the street in order to visit with their elderly
neighbor who was sitting outside on the porch. This old gentleman
had just lost his beloved wife of many years, and the family had
spoken of how tough it must be on poor Mr. Nuttall, a good man
who would dearly miss his lifelong companion.
The little
boy carefully crossed the street to the house directly across
from his own, approached the old neighbor, and then climbed up
on the old man’s lap. The father watched quietly, wondering what
kind of conversation the two might be having.
Soon the
young boy came back home and he and his father went inside their
own house. As they did, the father asked, “What did you talk
about, son?” “Nothing,” was the reply.
“But I
saw you sitting on Mr. Nuttall’s lap. What were you saying?”
The son
replied, “I didn’t say anything, Daddy, I just helped him cry.”
I love
this story. The little boy reminds us of several things inherent
in every situation in which our neighbors may be going through
a time of hurt and suffering. He:
- Noticed a neighbor who was in
pain.
- Recognized that there was a
need.
- Believed there was something
he might do to assist.
- Came up with a quick response
to that need.
- Was led by the heart in order
to help.
There have
been times when I would love to have had a ‘helper’ — someone
with whom I could feel comfortable enough to cry. Or to say some
of the things pent up in my agonized heart. Or to listen as I
said much about nothing — comforted because someone was simply
there.
And there
have been many times when having that kind of friend was one of
the sweetest blessings in this life. It comes as a quiet blessing.
Like so many good things that come from our Father in heaven.
And it wraps itself around our hearts and gives us strength and
hope and a little glimmer of joy. I guess because it is a simple
yet profound outward showing of charity — and from it I felt the
love of my Lord.
In Moroni
7:45, we are introduced to some of the things that make up that
wonderful word charity. Just as our little boy inherently
knew there was something he could do, growing in charity
allows us to believe that we can make a difference. We may not
have the right words, or the best approach, or the understanding
of exactly how another is feeling, but — with a childlike attempt
at loving and helping — we realize that in our own humble way,
there is something we can do.
Somehow,
crying with someone seems more powerful and large than
crying for someone — at least, if given a chance at the
first. Empathy is a strong and loving force that allows us to
toss aside our pride or concern about what we will do, how we
will do it, or whether or not we will be successful. We just
go and do — another simple and profound principle. (See 1 Nephi
3:7.)
The Lord’s
love for us is huge and powerful — so much so that He often answers
prayers in seemingly tiny ways. Surely, the old gentleman across
the street felt much better after a small boy with a giant soul
sat and shared tears with him. Surely, there is someone in your
neighborhood, your school, your own family, who would benefit
from your small yet loving show of support. If needful, help
him cry. A little shedding of tears is not only cleansing, but
loving. It is a natural reaction endorsed by the Lord himself.
(see Moses 7:28-33.)
