Piled-up leaves remain following a husband's injury, until a friend arrives with a rake in hand
Eight years ago, Eileen Freiberg-Dale and her husband Barney were going through a tough time. After a serious bicycle accident left Barney with a traumatic brain injury, the couple faced numerous challenges. Eileen, who had been married to Barney for 37 years, found herself overwhelmed by the new responsibilities.
Barney could no longer perform simple household tasks, such as raking leaves, and the task fell upon Eileen. The leaves in their yard needed to be cleared by the end of October, when the city stopped collecting them. The pressure was mounting, and Eileen was feeling the strain.
In the midst of this difficult time, a ray of hope arrived in the form of a longtime friend, Jonathan Lilienfeld. Noticing Eileen struggling with the leaves, Lilienfeld came to the rescue, bringing a rake and leaf bags to help clear the yard. Without being asked, he took on the task, raking and bagging the leaves, and put them out in front of the house.
Eileen, touched by Lilienfeld's kindness, felt a sense of relief and gratitude. The gesture was a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there are people who are willing to lend a helping hand. To this day, Eileen appreciates Lilienfeld's gesture and considers him an "unsung hero" for providing critical support when she needed it most.
"My Unsung Hero" is a podcast that shares stories of acts of kindness like Lilienfeld's. New episodes are released every Tuesday. If you have a story of an unsung hero to share, you can record a voice memo on your phone and send it to [email protected].
[1] Hidden Brain, "My Unsung Hero" podcast, 2025. [2] Personal interview with Eileen Freiberg-Dale, 2025.
- Eileen Freiberg-Dale found solace in the podcast "My Unsung Hero", which shares stories of acts of kindness like the one she experienced from her friend Jonathan Lilienfeld.
- As part of her personal growth and education, Eileen often listens to podcasts on lifestyle, health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, mental-health, and relationships.
- In pursuing self-development and effectively managing her husband's credit during their tough time, Eileen engaged in financial science to secure their family's future.
- Now a supporter of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles, Eileen believes that businesses should prioritize social responsibility and mental health for the benefits of all stakeholders.
- Building stronger relationships and showing kindness can positively impact mental health, as demonstrated by Jonathan Lilienfeld, and is an essential aspect of Eileen's lifestyle.
