Finding life's empathetic wonders.

“A best friend is the only one that walks into your life when the world has walked out.” 

― Shannon L. Alder

This is the time of year that I start to struggle.

I'm not sure what picks the scab that covers the sore in my soul, but it's always about this time of year that I find my thoughts often going to the loss of my son, Seth. It's not like the pain of his absence is ever far from my mind, but certain segments of the calendar are even more poignant that others. I attempt to prepare for them, and I have done better about being ready, but I am still often caught off guard by the somber emotion that begins to shadow my life. It makes holding fast to a joyous perspective even more important to me. And important that I share the liferaft principles that have helped me to stay afloat the past nearly eight years.

Because everyone has a page in their story, they don't like to read out loud.

You may not have lost a child, but it's difficult to find a human that does not understand some deep grief or loss. It can also be a terrible mistake you made that caused harm to others or injustice that was done to you. It's behind you, but it will always remain a part of who you are. It will color some of your days, and cause you to react in ways not faithful to your norm.

And you can't explain it to every soul that crosses your path, 

because it's both not fair and impossible to everyone to be able to understand what you've experienced. Ah, but there are those who just seem to have a gift for that rarest of treasured character traits - Empathy. The ability to hear and know, and absorb and feel. You will imagine that they must have gone through a similar struggle or pain, but that's not always the case. But when you find one, they show themselves quickly.

They talk with you, not at you.

They acknowledge your pain without comparing theirs.

They don't tell you to get over it, but rather, say they believe you will get through it.

They walk with you when others walk out.

Keep your eyes open for these emphatic wonders.

Cheers.