Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Not Ready?

The woman on the phone had sent an email earlier in the day asking for help. She’d been using opiates for 15 years and couldn't quit. She had no money or insurance.

She also mentioned she didn't want to lose her job. It was very important for her. Maybe it was the one area of stability in her life. Maybe it was one thing that gave her life a sense of normalcy..

Because she included her number I placed a call. She was surprised to hear from me.

In a barely audible voice she said she was at work. That she would call me back later, in maybe 20 minutes.

But now, 24 hours later I haven’t heard from her.

How many of us started out by making tentative cries for help? Putting out feelers. Maybe calling a hotline seeking help for “a friend.”

Perhaps when she loses her job or things get bad enough she’ll follow through.