Article January 26, 1987 Issue

Responding to lifelines

Do we take hold of the help that comes to us?

Jenifer C. Wechsler

The scene is a classic one: a man is washed overboard during a monstrous storm at sea. Immediately a line is thrown out; the man overboard catches hold of it and is pulled to safety.

Lifelines appear in many forms. Someone may extend a helping hand during a time of financial need. Or a colleague at work may point out a better way to accomplish the job at hand. Perhaps a friend comforts us when we're at a low ebb, or a perfect stranger holds out his umbrella during a sudden shower.

In any case, the recipient must be active in accepting the aid. The man overboard, for instance, needs to take hold of the rope firmly and hang on in order to get to the ship's warmth and safety.

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