Paralyzed By Fear or ?

   Went to the post office today. Big deal right? Except today was a bit different. In our post office we have a self-mailing machine. (Oh I LOVE technology). I use it a lot because it is almost always faster than the long long line that snakes out the door. Let me set the picture for you. 
   When you enter, you are in the lobby with mail boxes etc. Then there are double doors that get into the inner sanctum of the belly of the beast: You can get personal service, pick up packages with a REAL LIVE WORKER. I rarely have to use them. Today I was at the machine which is directly in front of the doors (which are open), there is the typical long line, and I hear an awful moaning. I look up and see an elderly woman sitting on a stool hunched over at the head of the line. Not one person is helping her and no one seems to be with her. Snoopy me, I went over to see what was the matter. She has vomited and is in danger of falling over. I speak to her, to see if she needs help. (The first rule they teach you in first aid). I see she is clammy and sweaty. I ask if she is in pain. Suddenly, people start springing into action.  I tell her we are going to call an ambulance...telling her she doesn't have to go, but I feel that she needs to be assessed. (She has a pkg with her with a return address, I ask her if this is her name)  She is begging to lie down. I ask what meds she is on, who is her doctor (to pass the info on to the person who was calling the ambulance)
   A gentleman gets padded mailers for head. Someone gets a roll of paper towels from their car (Costco!) to cushion her back as we had her legs elevated, someone cleans up the mess, someone cleans her up. I ask if she has someone to call when I see she has a cell phone. She dials her daughter. no answer, but I leave a message. The paramedics arrive in record time (Bless them all!) and I tell her I am mailing her package for her, I slip her the receipt and off I go...

   I do not know why people don't get involved. I am not trying to be judgmental, and  I think people genuinely are caring people, but they are paralyzed with fear. Fear of getting into people's business, fear of the unknown, fear that they will do the wrong thing. There is ONE thing we can all do: If you don't know the right thing to do, CALL someone who does! GET involved in some way! If we all do something, it will get done. If you see a need, try to fill it. Ask yourself, "What if that was my mom? what if that were my child?"  Again, if you cannot, find someone who can. No one should EVER be suffering alone. I know there are good people in this world. Please be that one. Love to you and yours.