I’ll Be There For You…
The theme song of the sitcom “Friends”, written by The Rembrandts, is appropriate for all stages of life.
“So no one told you life was gonna be this way (clap, clap, clap, clap, clap)
Your job's a joke, you're broke
Your love life's DOA
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month
Or even your year, but I’ll be there for you.”
Yes, your mother warned you there would be days like these but your family and friends will be there to pick you up off of your knees. No truer words for the recent passing of my sister-in-law Nanci. She left behind a 22-year-old daughter who also lost her dad several years ago. Family and friends are coming together to console her and take care of the final estate details. My husband is the executor of his sister’s estate and along with his remaining three sisters, they will figure out all the details and passwords which are quite a challenge to access her phone and computer.
I would recommend everyone read my sister’s book “Plan Organize R. I. P.: The Definitive Guide to Putting Your Final Affairs in Order” so that your affairs will be for your executor and close family members. My sister, Carlene Szostak, walks you through the steps for building a personalized, thoughtful exit plan. Every page provides detailed, practical instructions for completing the big and small details with the least amount of disruption.
Maya Angelou once wrote. ‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ My sister-in-law, Nanci, was one of those people who always made people feel loved and welcomed. She was always willing to step up and help people in need. She made everyone feel not just good, but also important and valued.
A shout out to the aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who make our kids their own. The aunts and uncles step up, even when they are not expected to. Those who support, advise and love unconditionally. Those who spoil, offer comfort and become a safe space. You are so appreciated.
Moving on to the next steps of the healing process “I’ll be there for you.” Those are powerful words, and if you use them, be prepared to stand by them. When tragedy strikes, it’s easy to be there in the initial period of need. Hugs, words of comfort, and advice for the near future, (clap, clap, clap, clap, clap). But, when you look at the actual long-term support of someone needing to be there for that person, them floating in the abbess of the unknown, be one hundred percent positive that, if you are that person, making that commitment, that you will, unconditionally, fulfill that promise of “I’ll be there for you”.
“I’ll be there for you”. So, what does that mean? It means exactly what you intend it to be. When you realize the needs of the recipient of your generosity, and that is what it is, generosity, define it and share it with the recipient. You then sit down with that person in need and you tell them, I am here for you, and this is what I want to help you with. By doing this, you will be built a solid foundation for the relationship between you and that special person that you will be connected with by the commitment you have made of “I’ll be there for you”.
As you think about the concept of, “I’ll be there for you”, remember that there need not be a tragedy, long-term illness, or death to be able to be there for someone in your life. People in need are all around us. Just look around. Brothers and sisters, parents and friends, (clap, clap, clap, clap, clap), you can make life-changing improvements to someone in need. Just look around, they are in need and need someone to be there for them.
Who will you be there for?
