"When one falls in the river,

the one who rescues them

shares in their new life forever."

- Mohawk Proverb

when we walk with people through the hard places

when we sit with them in the midst of their suffering

when we wipe their tears and say "I've been there"

when we offer the hope that night eventually ends

when we show compassion and mercy

when we simply hold their hands and let them grieve

when we aren't afraid to look at their pain in the face and acknowledge it

when we do no more than offer our presence as a reminder that they are not alone

we pull them out of the rivers and back onto dry land

we participate in their lives and change their stories

and in doing this,

we become part of both.