One Person, One Moment, One Lifeline
Then he said something that changed me forever:
“Just because there is suffering in the world doesn’t make your pain any less real or devastating.”
“Can you see the suffering children behind me?” Dr. Frank asked. I looked around his office, searching for a picture of children, maybe from a mission trip. But there was nothing.
I’ve been seeing Dr. Frank for most of my adult life, yet I couldn’t figure out what he meant. I was there for my routine physical, going over blood work when he asked how I was doing. Physically, I was fine, but I didn’t want to tell him that I’d just lost my entire family.
I had finally told them about my father’s abuse after learning he was hurting another child. I couldn’t let it continue. But the cost was high—I was disowned. The very people I’d spent my life trying to protect no longer spoke to me. My siblings, parents, extended family—everyone was gone. I felt betrayed and alone.
Gathering courage, I told Dr. Frank everything. I explained how I wasn’t sleeping or eating, how I felt ashamed for struggling. I was an adult with my own family, and yet I couldn’t shake the guilt. Why did my pain matter when there are children around the world suffering, without food or water?
That’s when he repeated: “Do you see the suffering children behind me?” I kept looking for them, but all I saw was him. Then he said something that changed me forever: “Just because there is suffering in the world doesn’t make your pain any less real or devastating.”
There were no children in the room. No pictures. Just a doctor who cared.
Science tells us it takes just one caring adult to offer hope and help heal someone experiencing trauma—one person to make a difference in someone’s life.
I am forever grateful for Dr. Frank. His kindness and support inspired me to pay it forward. Shortly after that visit, I started baking birthday cakes for children removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect. I became the “cake fairy,” and I loved it. Helping them helped me.
Dr. Frank taught me not to diminish the impact of trauma and how essential it is to have a caring, supportive person—whether that’s a doctor, friend, coach, pastor, or even someone you’ve just met.
We’d love to hear from you. If you’re comfortable, please share about your own caring supporter or how you’ve been one for someone else. You can share your truth on our website under Our Truths or on our social media @littlevoicesoftruth on IG and TikTok.