Day 187 - shared trauma

We sometimes go through things that are upsetting, so upsetting that we are embarrassed to share them with others. That isn't to say that what happened is in fact something to be embarrassed about, it's just our own guilt most of the time that causes these feelings. Either way, I had a long conversation with a very good friend of mine today about something she was going through that fell into this category. And I remember feeling so blessed that she chose to share and trust her feelings with me. We often overlook how much courage it takes a person to merely talk about things. And more over we forget that were aren't entitled to that information, but its information that that person has entrusted and graced us with. It's something that has impacted them enough to want to keep private. And to share that with you is an honour. They're called skeletons in the closet for a reason, they frighten us and won't go away. And when someone shares them with you, you have a key to that closet, and if you think about it that way, its like you have access to a persons most inner and darkest insecurities, fears, guilt, you name it. When we invite people to our homes, we don't show them the storage room that's been a shambles for years, or the mess accumulated under the bed but our closest and dearest know about those, they also know the rest of the imperfections we keep hidden in many other ways. And to be be in a position to listen to someones more embarrassing and traumatic experiences is something that I really value. Because its these friendships that let me feel comfortable enough to be imperfect as well.