CAN YOU RELATE?

It’s a bright sunny morning, God blesses us with yet another day on earth.

He gets out of bed fresh for another battle, to stay alive.

As he heads to the routine un fulfilling workplace, he decides to press 10 while in the elevator. Today, his hunger for what it feels like to be on the roof top hits more than ever.

Wow, I didn’t know it was this beautiful up here, he said. Such a beauty that he is ok with being his last memory on earth.

He is mentally TIRED.

While he puts the first leg over the security rail, the second effortlessly follows because his mind cannot fight the sad helpless feelings anymore. I don’t think they would care anyway, he thought.

Meanwhile, a humble cleaner is on rooftop duty today. No one likes going up there because its hectic but he goes anyway. He doesn’t want to disappoint his supervisor. And he needs the job, badly.

As the 10th floor elevator doors open, he sets his eyes on a focused well dressed gentleman seeming to enjoy the view. Must be one of the occasional smocker’s, he thought.But as he wheels his cleaning materials to his starting cleaning point, he notices that the strangers both feet are over the security rails.

He carefully takes a few steps in his direction, not to startle him.

Cleaner: Hallo sir, I can see you love the 10th floor view too.

Office guy: Still hanging on to the rails, he smiles. Hmmmm yea I guess.

Cleaner: Would you mind if I joined you?

Office guy: Confused,if you say so.

Cleaner: Boldly and steadily puts the first leg over the rail, the second more hesitant but his heart convinces him to.

I don’t know why you are here enjoying the 10th floor view alone but I know that it’s most definitely worse from down there.

Office guy: What would make you want to risk your life for a stranger?

Cleaner: Because I can relate with rock bottom when I see it. I have been there before too.

I remember when I was a young man like you, I cared alot about what people thought of me and the pleasure that came with their praises. When the world tilted everything, I decided to re evaluate the real things that mattered most in my life. I was not going to like where to start from but at least I chose to give this thing called life another try.

With time, I have found my peace in the efforts I know the work of my hands will bear some day. I most definitely know that I won’t be a cleaner forever but its a start to something, from the rock bottom where I was.

Office guy: I am running out of reasons for wanting to continue existing.

Cleaner: How about I become your first reason? A total stranger who strongly believes you still matter, regardless of the defeat hovering over you.

You will lose if you don’t fight a little bit more to discover another version of your life, the one centered around you not those around you. Where your feelings matter and reciprocated by those who have taken the time to get to understand them without judging.

Office guy: They say such feelings make men weak.

Cleaner: Weaker you will be if you give up on wanting better for yourself.

Office guy: So what do I do now?

Cleaner: You start by getting back over these rails and choosing to open a new chapter of your life,the one where you decide to live regardless of its frustrating imperfections. Giving up can’t be it.

Would you mind if we became 10th floor buddies, not over the rail though but on this more comfortable side. On the chairs over there perhaps?

Office guy: Hahahah yea sure, my name is Tom by the way.

Cleaner: Its been my utmost pleasure to still be able to meet you Tom.

The cleaner did not cause a scene, did not judge him for wanting to take his life or try to find out what his problem was too. At that moment it all didn’t matter.All he saw was a wounded vessel oozing with hopelessness.He availed himself, for Tom not to feel alone in the most trying and worthless moment of his life. The details of his life can follow later, when Tom is ready to open up, if he ever feels comfortable to. Today, the moment was all about Tom. For him to feel seen, heard and not judged for the decision he had made to end his life.

What would you do if  you found Tom at that rooftop?

How would you handle coming face to face with a hopeless person?

Can you relate?