Panic button

I think everyone should have a panic button in their life. An SOS, a lifeline, a sign, some way to call for help.

For those times when life is a slippery slope and the only direction you can go is down.

For those times when you can't figure yourself out, and everything is not making sense.

For those times when you are so mad you want to hit something.

For those times when you are so depressed you can't move.

For those times when if you were in a car you might crash.

For those times when tears blind you.

For those times when you think that if you would just disappear no one would notice.

For those times when you are so tense you can't sleep.

For those times when you wish you were anywhere but here. And yet there is no escape.

For those times when you just want to get away from yourself, and no matter how far you run- there you are.

For all those times and more, I wish there was a way to say, help me, I'm drowning.

(A picture comes to mind. When my sister was little her class had to do a project for fall, connected to leaves. They had to make a collage, and they were all put on display in the hallway. One girl made a really cute one. It was a whole bunch of leaves, with a hand sticking out, and a talk bubble saying, "help me, I'm drowning!". I thought it was so cute and original.)

And someone would come running. Sometimes you just need an encouraging word, or a hug, or some sort of validation that there are people who care about you, who want you here and would notice if you were gone.

Family is far away. And sometimes family just doesn't cut it. Thank G-d for good friends.

I think if I had a panic button I'd have to be sure not to abuse it. I wouldn't want to become the boy who cried wolf. But for those rare times, those times when you can barely hold it together- it would be nice to know that there is someone on the other end of the line, listening and caring.

And reassuring you that everything will be okay.