It's interesting that you would bring this song up at this time as I've been
thinking a lot about it myself lately.
I had a friend drop by a couple of weeks ago, a gentleman I know. When he
arrived he was happy to see me, beaming, hugging, kissing my cheek. As the
visit wore on he began to fill me in on his life of late, as he spoke he
became more serious about how lonely he is, how his career as a police
officer has affected him (he was shot in the line of duty twice and retired
with a disability pension the second time). By the end of our conversation
he was talking about having visited a therapist because he's suicidal and
doesn't know what to do with himself.
He came in as bright as a neon light and he burned out right there before
me.
This didn't make me a bad friend, I listened, I heard and talked softly to
him about the qualities in him that I find appealing. Being a good
listener/friend didn't prevent him burning out right before me, it helped
him to let go of his emotions and he felt safe enough to display himself to
me. I felt honored that he believed in our friendship enough to be himself
with me and release his pent-up feelings.
I thought a lot about Lessons in Survival after that visit, I firmly believe
that the person she burned out before was someone she felt safe with,
someone she could discuss her deepest emotions with, someone watching,
worrying about her state of mind and buckling their brow in concern for the
depth of her apparent despair. We don't show our despair to people we don't
trust.
Friends are people who we can share ourselves with, good and bad, they
accept us as we come, they try to help us even when we are "heavy company."
I have a soft spot in my heart for the person she could turn to in
desperation and know it was ok to emote.
Cassy
NP Let the Wind Carry Me
