"Fine, thank you..."

When my friend Susan went missing, another friend and I were chatting about her. She said that every time she saw Susan and asked her how she was, she would always answer "Fine, thank you..." and smile. She said she would have never guessed that anything was wrong by the way Susan acted...

That reminds me of an email that circulates talking about how we never say how we REALLY are when asked in our daily encounters. That's a tough one because we all struggle and we figure no one wants to hear our struggles, our complaining, right? So many of us can be in the midst of something so discouraging, so sad or scary, and yet we put on a happy face for the world. A lot of us are suffering, silently, as my friend Susan was, and no one is the wiser.

That brings me to the focus of this particular blog entry. I want to encourage you all to seek out someone in your lives that you can truly confide in during difficult times. You may already have someone, you may not. Of course, you have to be sure to use your discretion, not just share with anyone casual acquaintance, because that can do more harm than good, there are many gossipy people out there, unfortunately!

However, if you can find one person, whom I refer to as a "vault", I think it would help you get through the difficult times. Someone you can open up to, who won't judge you, someone who won't give advice unless it is requested, someone who will simply listen and be there...that is truly a blessing. Maybe if Susan had had a person like that in her life, maybe if she would have opened herself up to a friend like that, maybe she would have stayed...

So, yesterday, that same friend and I were at a church participating in "Operation Christmas Child" and we encountered one another at the end of it. She asked how I was, I automatically answered, "Fine..." and then I stopped myself and said to her, "Well, we are all fine, healthwise and schoolwise, but you know, I am having a really hard time with ...." and then she said, "I know EXACTLY what you mean! We are having challenges in that area, too..." and we went on to share with one another, openly and honestly.

Our problems may not have been solved by that conversation but I think both our spirits were a little less heavy because of it. It really touched me that she felt comfortable enough with me to share that part of her life and not just give the usual "Fine, thank you." I need to write her an email and let her know!

I pray all of you may find someone in your life that can be your "vault", for those people are truly a treasure!

Blessings,
Eliana