Mike Murray essay -- Friends in Need

18 January 2010

Friends in Need

-- by Mike Murray

“A friend in need is a friend, indeed.” That expression is – as are countless others – routinely attributed to Benjamin Franklin. Perhaps the famous publisher of Poor Richard’s Almanac did pen it. But the core sentiment existed long before Franklin came along.

A version of it goes at least as far back as the third century, B.C. As he did with so many other catchy phrases and proverbs, Franklin merely “popularized” this one. (It seems that politicians have long been in the business of co-opting the wit, wisdom, and good works of others.)

Similarly, there today exists a legion of people who diligently go about the business of doing what they can to make the world a better place – irrespective of the periodic (and opportunistic) exhortations of self-serving government officials.

These dedicated souls need not consult with any .gov web site to locate causes worthy of their support. They require no push from people looking to gain electoral advantage. They simply react to what they see all around them; they are driven by decency to do their level best to ameliorate suffering.

And that’s a lot. These selfless volunteers give of themselves in countless ways. They spend enormous amounts of time; they expend heroic amounts of effort; they contribute copious amounts of cash. Some greatly alter their lives, in the process forgoing comforts they could otherwise enjoy. They prefer, instead, to ease the discomfort of others.

And they do so without fanfare. Quite unlike self-aggrandizing, self-congratulating politicians, these altruistic souls quietly go about the business of assisting the needy. There is very little “in it” for them, save the knowledge that they are making a difference.

I am reminded of a scene in the movie, Driving Miss Daisy. In it, chauffeur Hoke (played to perfection by Morgan Freeman) offhandedly reveals a benevolent act that he periodically performs for the cantankerous Miss Daisy. His employer (Daisy’s son) expresses gratitude. To which Hoke humbly replies, “Well, we do what we can.”

It is that way with countless volunteers. They do what they can. And they do it always – during convenient and inconvenient moments alike. They realize that, in many cases, “charity delayed is charity denied.” The need of those in desperate straits is immediate. Absent swift assistance, many severely suffer. Some perish.

“Friends in need” the world over know that. And so they do what they can to help – when their help is most needed. If you are one of those kind souls, may God bless you.