A General Sympathetic Moment

So I know quite a few people who are going through some real hardcore shit.  Major shit.  I won’t list the different things that are happening to friends of mine, but there are some intense goings on going on.  And in every one of those situations, as I always do, I wish that there was something more I could or, or say, or provide, that would make things easier or help the situation pass, but sometimes that just isn’t possible.  And I think we can all relate to both sides of a friendship when one side is really struggling with something, and the other side is forced to stand there and watch, sometimes helpless, sometimes at a loss.  

I always think about how well I can relate, when you’re in the middle of a major struggle.  And I won’t try to compare the things I’ve been through versus the things my friends are going through at any deeper or more detailed level.  But we’ve all been through times where there isn’t an end in sight, when things just seem to keep happening, relentlessly, non-stop, when you just want to scream “ENOUGH!”  When you lose yourself and your sanity and your sense of place.  It’s brutal.  It’s happened to us all…and if it hasn’t happened to you, then consider yourself very lucky but tuck this away somewhere because chances are, it will happen.  

And nothing drives me up a wall faster than when I run into an unsympathetic person, or worse, a judgmental person.  You know the ones…the ones who say “well, if they hadn’t done this” or “if only they would do that,” or my favorite:  “if it were me…”

…DON’T FINISH THE STATEMENT!!!  Please.  Do us all a favor and shut it already.  Because we’re all different, and every situation is completely different.  The events, the people involved, the history, the instincts, the personalities, the options, the timing, who, what, where, when, why, and how.  No one really could possibly KNOW...at best it’s an opinion.  And you know what they say about opinions…

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…but I will say this…I am definitely sympathetic to it all.  If nothing else, and in spite of everything else, I am definitely sympathetic to it all.  And In every situation, I want to believe that this too shall pass.  And I hope that turns out to be true.  And in every situation, I have hope in that belief.  Sometimes it may be the only thing I have to offer, and I know sometimes that may initially add to the darkness, but I have hope.  I believe that in the end, everything will turn out alright.  And I have no factual basis for that, so I would never win a debate about it.  I can’t prove it.  Only time will tell.  And through all that time, you have my sympathy and belief and hope.  _______________________________________________________

So, as I said, we’ve all been on both sides of this.  And if you haven’t,  then consider yourself very lucky but tuck this away somewhere because chances are, it will happen.  

Save THIS for a rainy day.  In case of emergency, break THIS open.