Who's got your back?

My Saturday began as it normally did, waking up somewhere between 10 am and 12 pm, checking email and watching SportsCenter while I had a quick bit to eat before heading over to my grandparent's house outside of town to help them with anything I could around the house and visiting with my family. The day continued normally as I returned to campus mid afternoon with plans to get some homework done, eat dinner, and then spend my evening in the company of friends.

However, on this particular Saturday, those plans were instantly forgotten as I walked into my room and discovered my roommate sitting on our futon with his head buried in his hands. I asked what had happened and he told me he had just gotten a call from his sister who had passed news to him that his step-father, who was the only father he has ever, just died. We looked at each other in silence for several minutes until I asked what had happened. He told me that his 42-year-old step father had a history of health problems and that his sugar bottomed out that afternoon causing his quick, untimely, and completely unexpected death. Without saying another word we both stood up, and I began to help him pack up his clothes, books, and other essentials and helped him out the door and to his car. I offered to drive him home, but he insisted that he was fine and would call me with more details when he had them.

News of his step father's death quickly spread around our small campus and well-wishers sent their condolences to my roommate by way of texts, emails, and Facebook messages. Those of us who know my roommate best began brainstorming nice things to do for him while he was at home. One of our friends came and completely cleaned his side of the room, organized his closet and desk, and even stocked our cabinets with his favorite foods. Several of us decided to get him a card that we all signed and stuffed with homemade IOU's for the staples of every college student such as delivery pizza, hot wings, and even one for clean laundry.

Upon his return, there were no less than 25 friends packed into our dorm room waiting to greet him in person and demand that if he needed anything at all, they were the one to call and in addition, those who were in classes with him had already made copies of the notes he missed and offered to catch him up on the material covered in class if he needed it. After everyone had left and things finally quieted down, he told me that he was completely overwhelmed by the care and concern that everyone was showing him and expressed how much it meant that his friends cared so much.

Afterwards, I reflected on his words and realized just how important it is to have a support network whether it is a group of friends, family, a congregation, or a combination of those. So often, life seems to throw us challenges which can knock us on the ground when we least expect it and it is those networks and people in our lives that lift us back on our feet. Whether it is words of encouragement, someone to listen, or a simple pepperoni pizza, sometimes you just need to know that other people care and have your back.