Recently a video about Invisible Children went viral. In a matter of a few days 52 million people saw the documentary about the horrific treatment of children in Uganda. Many felt compelled to spread awareness and to help. 

 

I saw another video of Brazilians who came to the rescue of a pod of dolphins stranded on the beach. Swimmers who a moment ago were simply a random assortment of folks enjoying a warm summer day suddenly began working in concert for a cause that pulled them together like a magnet. Free the dolphins.

 

It is easy to blow a few hours on You Tube watching such tributes to the inherent altruism of both the human and the non human spirit. I own a book called Random Acts of Kindness by Animals thick with stories of spaniel rescues and heroic ducks. 

 

Yet there is a fly in the ointment. When folks are lost in the woods or pinned inside a fallen building, they yell for help. Loudly. Remarkably, complete strangers spring to respond. But when people are lost in their own marriages, or pinned inside collapsed promises, their lips go mute. 

 

Parents and friends who would recklessly charge into a burning building or churning water to save their children are abruptly held at bay. The husband or wife suffering often hides their heartache like an inky secret. Instead of crying for reinforcements.... they pretend. 

 

 

 

Photo by Jenny Stein

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