Has anyone ever dropped everything to listen to you when you needed them?
I had a rough day for many reasons and by the evening I was a mess.
All I needed was a friend and some human contact.
Ever been there?
Loving and caring for people requires unselfishness and is often inconvenient. It’s not like you can write down on a calendar, “Sherry is going to fall apart at 5:00 p.m. on March 20, 2014,” so you don’t plan anything in order to be available. That’s just not how it works.
I want to say that although you have watched my journey through PTSD recovery, most of my struggles have been spent alone. Just me, myself and I, thinking, crying, learning, coping and eventually healing.
However…
I do have a handful of people who are willing to listen and walk through my storm with me.
Today wasn’t PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) related because that is truly in my past now, but I still “needed.” For the record, I don’t like needing anyone or anything. It makes me very vulnerable and takes away my control. Yes, that’s way funny because we both know that “control” is often just an illusion.
Anyway, this post is my sincere thank you to that special friend who was there at 5:00 p.m. when I just couldn’t bear another minute alone.
For everyone else, there are a few songs that really express the friendship message I’m trying to convey to you.
As Tracy Lawrence sings:
“You find out who your friends are
Somebody’s gonna drop everything
Run out and crank up their car
Hit the gas, get there fast
Never stop to think, ‘What’s in it for me?’
Or ‘It’s way too far’
They just show on up with their big ole heart.”
Of course, we all know James Taylor’s song:
“You just call out my name and you know wherever I am
I’ll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer or fall
all you got to do is call
and I’ll be there.”
With gratitude Tim McGraw sings heartfelt emotions:
“To tell the world that you were here
‘Cause the love and the laughter
Will live on long after
All of the sadness and the tears
We’ll meet again, my old friend.”
“It takes a great man to be a good listener.” ~ Calvin Coolidge ~
Karen says
I love that Tracy Lawrence song. I’m really glad you have friends that will drop things for you and be there.
Sherry Riter says
Thank you, Karen! {{{hugsss}}}
Joan says
Everybody needs to have a handful of people who are willing to listen and walk through the storm with them. Happy that there was a special person who was there for you, walked you through the storm and put a smile back on your face! 🙂
Sherry Riter says
🙂 I’m glad there was someone there for me too. Sometimes the world can be a very lonely place when we are hurting so badly inside our soul.
Jerel Gall says
Glad there was someone who cared to listen to you. I am sure that it was a return in favor for what you have offered to them.
Sherry Riter says
I am still filled with gratitude for the friendships I have and for their loving spirits.