When you found me and I found you, I was wrecked. I was lost, and I was lonely. Trying to heal. I think you were all of those things too. Two lost, damaged people who found each other at sea. There was room enough for two on the door that we clung to. You taught me more than anyone else in my life before or since. Technical things. Practical things. New places. New Experiences. I had fun, and I hope you did too. I think you did at the time. You and I made a great partnership. Our personalities supporting each other. The sum of us greater than each of us. We clung together and made it out of the darkness. At least I did, but I don't think you ever really did. Looking at you and how much you did for me, I could only see your strength and not the shadows that clung to your heart and mind. Looking at myself and how much you did for me, I could only see my weaknesses and how much I needed you. I could not imagine the doubts inside of you, and I could not see your fears. I could not see
Sometimes you lose someone. Two paths diverged in a wood. You took one and I took the other. You took the one I could not follow. I slumped to the floor when I heard the news. I remember the last time we talked. Late at night. Your place. I dropped off the keys. When you died a part of me died too. Not the best part, but a good part. When you died a hole opened in my heart. A part of me withdrew. You were the trickster, the funster, the outgoing one. And I lost a part of me that was tied to you.
Father, forgive the Stoics for they do not know what they do. “We forget: In life, it doesn’t matter what happens to you or where you came from. It matters what you do with what happens and what you’ve been given.” (Ryan Holiday) When you are in a place of privilege and comfort, it is easy to preach the philosophy of "suck it up, buttercup." Take the story of Jackie Robinson. The first Black man to break the color barrier in major league baseball, Robinson is a true hero. Robinson was the target of aggressive racism. He was forced to play with people who were vocally racists and questioned his right to he there. Robinson proved his right by not fighting back. He never took a swing at those who deserved it or publicly gotten into arguments. He even allowed himself to have his picture taken with out and loud racists. By playing through the hostility, Robison opened the door for others. If he had responded to violence and bigotry with aggression, it would have played i
Comments
Post a Comment