The woman who is sitting across you

Full of confidence 

At the top of her game 

May have had very difficult experiences 

She may have been seriously ill

Lost hope and almost lost faith

Challenges in life can do that to us

The woman who is smiling all the time

Fresh as sunshine 

Has scars of her own 

And difficulties she cannot share in a casual conversation

It seems it’s better to assume that 

Everyone has been hurt

Everyone has suffered 

Whether we know it or not 

We need to be gentle with each other

Supportive of one another

And when the time arrives

Hold that someone’s hand

Listen to their story

And give them the opportunity to be heard 

September 29th, 2025