1.The_day_my_fiance_fell_to_his_death,_it_started_to_snow,_just_like_any_November_day,_just_like_the_bottom_hadn’t_fallen_out_of_my_world_when_he_freefell_off_the_roof._His_body,_when_I_found_it,_was_lightly_covered_with_snow._It_snowed_almost_every_day_for_the_next_four_months,_while_I_sat_on_the_couch_and_watched_it_pile_up.
2.One_morning,_I_shuffled_downstairs_and_was_startled_to_see_a_snowplow_clearing_my_driveway_and_the_bent_back_of_a_woman_shoveling_my_walk._I_dropped_to_my_knees,_crawled_through_the_living_room,_and_back_upstairs_so_those_good_Samaritans_would_not_see_me._I_was_mortified._My_first_thought_was,_how_would_I_ever_repay_them?_I_didn’t_have_the_strength_to_brush_my_hair_let_alone_shovel_someone’s_walk.
3.Before_Jon’s_death,_I_took_pride_in_the_fact_that_I_rarely_asked_for_help_or_favors._I_defined_myself_by_my_competence_and_independence._So_who_was_I_if_I_was_no_longer_capable_and_busy?_How_could_I_respect_myself_if_all_I_did_was_sit_on_the_couch_everyday_and_watch_the_snow_fall?
4.Learning_how_to_receive_the_love_and_support_that_came_my_way_wasn’t_easy._Friends_cooked_for_me_and_I_cried_because_I_couldn’t_even_help_them_set_the_table._“I’m_not_usually_this_lazy,”_I_wailed._Finally,_my_friend_Kathy_sat_down_with_me_and_said,_“Mary,_cooking_for_you_is_not_a_chore._I_love_you_and_I_want_to_do_it._It_makes_me_feel_good_to_be_able_to_do_something_for_you.”