During my first trip to the hospital at age sixteen I really didn’t know how to deal with the other patients. Some of them were so off the wall that I was almost too scared to even approach them. Over time I realized that they were just kids getting the help they needed, but that first visit was a real shock to my system.

I did eventually realize that the best way to get through a stay was with a few good friends. If I was only going to be in for a short time, I would try to get close to two or three folks. Typically they would be people I had things in common with, some times not. Probably the best friend I ever made while I was in the hospital was a guy named Michael who was in for the first time. He caught me during my third trip, so by then I knew the ropes, so to speak. He was a kind, intelligent guy who was really confused about everything. He was a little older than me, and was thankful that I was there with a few choice words of advice for his stressful stay. For the last ten years Mike has called me every Christmas to chat. How did I manage to make such a good friend? I’ll tell you.

I reached out. When he was crying in a corner, I would go over and give him a hug. When he asked if things would ever get better, I told him the truth – yes, but with some work. When he wondered about the deeper aspects of life (as many of us do when we’re in the hospital), I would share with him my thoughts on philosophy and the meaning of everything. Mike was looking for answers, and I must have given him some that made sense, because each year my wife is blown away when he calls, yet again. And I look forward to it. I really do, because it means that I changed someone’s life for the better. Nothing is more rewarding than that.

Reach out to people. Help as many folks as you can. Be the light in a dreary place. Most of the folks around you will be thankful that someone is willing to listen to what they have to say.