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HeroicStories #799: Freedom From Fear
Reaching more than 37,000 subscribers in 118 countries, this is...
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HeroicStories #799: 20 May 2010 www.HeroicStories.com
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Freedom From Fear Story Editor:
by Andrew Scal Joyce Schowalter
California, USA
When I was young, fear was a strong influence on many aspects of my
life. I've since come to understand that many people go through this,
and that as a part of our development we learn how to overcome everyday
fears. But it took me a long time, and I needed the help of another
person.
In my junior year of college in Boston, I adopted a cat. It wasn't a
well thought out idea -- especially since I lived in a school dormitory!
Fortunately I had a single room, and Neebo, as I called her, was
perfectly happy there.
She would acknowledge and greet visitors, but was utterly devoted to me.
Just having her sit on my lap and purr as I petted her was soothing.
As I graduated and moved on to New York, Neebo went with me. She never
complained, was always waiting for me when I came home, and came
whenever I called her. When times were tough we shared ham sandwiches
until I could afford cat food. In the mid-80s I decided to go abroad for
a year to work in Japan.
I arranged for Neebo to stay with an old friend in Brooklyn. About three
months after I arrived in Tokyo I got a phone call from my friend: Neebo
was not taking this change well. She took every opportunity to escape,
wasn't eating, and seemed quite disturbed. I had decided to stay in
Japan for a while, so we made arrangements to ship her to me. She
arrived, and after a few days we quickly resumed our life together.
After a couple years I noticed Neebo licking a sore on her abdomen. As
months went by, the sore became an ugly wound. I avoided taking her to
the veterinarian because, what if she had something serious or terminal?
I dreaded losing her more than anything else at the time.
One day my good friend, Kathy, noticed Neebo licking her wound. "Andrew"
she said "I think it would be a good idea if you took Neebo to the vet
and had that checked out." She didn't scold me or point out that I was
endangering my beloved cat, she just told me what I ought to do. And so
I did.
Neebo did not live much longer. The vet told me her form of cancer was
fatal even before symptoms arose, which slightly assuaged my guilt.
Kathy and I are still friends, she and her husband in Washington, my
wife and I in San Francisco. I often remind her of that day and what it
did for me. 25 years later, I have never let fear stop me from doing
something I know I have to do. That's the lesson I took from Kathy's
words that day in Tokyo, and it has served me well time and time again.
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HeroicStories' Readers.
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Ted Edinger's story "You Can Do It!" (#798) described the influence a
farmer who employed the author had in building his confidence when he
was a teen.
Ted added the following thought: I would urge your readers, if they are
thinking of thanking someone who was a positive influence in their life,
to DO IT NOW, because tomorrow may be too late. I learned the hard way
because the focus of this story, Jim Seitz, died in 2002 in Fargo, North
Dakota."
Jennifer from Arkansas comments on the story: "I think many of us have
had a similar person in their life. Mine was a teacher, who believed in
me when most people seemed unable to understand me. All these years
later, I know much of the good I've accomplished is due to the kindness
of that one person." (Full story on our archives:
http://heroicstories.com/archives.html .)
Susan in Florida sent another comment relating to parents who may be
stressed, as described in "You're Normal, Sweetie" (#796). She writes:
"We in Florida recognize that parents in all situations can need some
help -- with babies, toddlers, or teenagers. Here in Florida, there is a
Parent Helpline at 1-800-FLA-LOVE where an understanding person can help
(in English or Spanish). Using Google you may find other parent help
lines in other states."
Do you have a HeroicStory to tell? We'd love to hear it. Don't worry
about making it perfect, that's what our editors are here to help with.
Why not send it in, to our submissions address, directly below.
Joyce Schowalter, Publisher
Co-Conspirator to Make the World a Better Place
TO SUBMIT A STORY, see our submission guidelines, tips and information
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