“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.” -Henri J.M. Nouwen
I have some really good people in my life.
I knew this, mind you, but The Crappiest Start to a New Year Ever has reinforced that truth in my life. Emotionally, I’m absolutely weary. I’ll spare you the details of the wretched first week of 2014, save to say this: I’m thrilled it’s over. It’s in the difficult times that you realize not only how awful some people are, but how big some people’s hearts are. This week, I have been the recipient of both some astonishing rottenness, and some beautiful kindnesses.
Terrible things happen, and there are heartless and cruel people in this world, but they are powerless against the strength provided by the generous kindness of good friends.
My dear friends (you know who you are), thank you.
“It’s the friends you can call up at 4 a.m. that matter.” -Marlene Dietrich