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.)