I awoke after surgery 
expecting pain
and discomfort
but I didn’t expect
a hidden grief
to break free, 
rise up and
overwhelm
me.

In that moment,
I knew,
as solidly as I knew anything,
I needed
a hand to hold–
a friend who
understood
to stay with me
in this cyclone
of sadness.

“I need you for a minute,”
I texted my friend.
“Here now – yes,” she answered.
So, I called.
She listened–
held me
and all I was feeling–

and the healing power
of compassion
eased my soul.

Lean on me when you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend.
I’ll help you carry on...
We all need somebody to lean on.
–Bill Withers

Credits and References:
Image of a cyclone from Picryl Creative Commons.
The Healing Power of Compassion by Esther Hizsa, 2025
Image of sky after a storm from PxHere. Creative Commons.

© Esther Hizsa, An Everyday Pilgrim, 2025.
The unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without permission from Esther Hizsa is prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used provided there is a link to the original content and credit is given as follows: © Esther Hizsa, An Everyday Pilgrim 2013-2025.  http://www.estherhizsa.com