Consoling (journal entry)

The hardest part in consoling is the feeling of helplessness.

It's like, you can see what's ahead: that they're going to be okay. And you're sure of it because your hunches have always been right. You want to let them see what you foresee, but you can't do that.

It is not meant for them to skip the hard part. And if you're close enough to them then you'll also get to witness their agony. You think, "if only they could fast forward to the good part, to the point of enlightenment, to the 'I have moved on' phase then it'll be easier for them."

But you can only do as much as to be there; to be present and to make them aware of it.

Maybe draw the curtains to let the light in their room one morning, lend them books you know they'd love, make extra pancakes to share, or anything that will make an activity less difficult for them.

Maybe you are not supposed to take away the pain, but to make it more bearable for them.

Maybe you're meant to see them grow stronger.

Maybe that's how you let them grow, and that's how you both grow... together.

(Written: 25Mar2019)