Sharing Battles

My roommate constantly tells me how strong I am. I’ not talking about physical strength, though for someone who is ‘stick like’ when it comes to body build, I’d like to think I’m packing some powerful guns. But, back to the emotional stuff.

I take pride in my roommate’s compliment. I have endured some hardships, like we all have, and I continue to face challenges throughout my life. Every time I seem to come out alive and better for it.

My mom has been a huge source of my strength. SHE is one tough cookie. She lost her true love to this evil villain known as cancer. She was left to raise two young girls alone. She never complained or asked ‘why me,’ instead she accepted the challenge. She took over my dad’s business and continued to be the wonderful caring and involved mother she already was.

Watching her taught me a thing or two about what it means to have ‘thick skin.’ Having thick skin though, doesn’t mean we are without struggle.

When I was a teenager, I used to think tears were a sign of weakness, but I know now that tough people shed tears too.

Letting our guards down and sharing our struggles can actually be one of the most rewarding things. In fact, when we do, we connect and build relationships with one another.

Recently I did let down my guard when I was catching up with my friend Haley. We lived together for two years while I was a working in Wichita Falls, Texas, as a reporter. I told her I had been struggling. I had been feeling unsuccessful at work. I still felt unsettled in my new home. I’d met tons of really great people, but had yet to find a core group of people that would help make Cincinnati feel more like a home. In all instances of my life, I was feeling a little low.

A couple weeks later I got a package. Inside was a Christmas card with encouraging messages signed by Haley and the rest of the people I consider my family in Texas. She also got me one of these awesome coffee mugs.

They are sort of like best friends necklaces, but better, for two girls who drank coffee together every morning. She has the Cincinnati mug to reminder her of me and I have one of Texas to remind me of her.

She also included a sweet handwritten note. She knows how much I appreciate hand written notes, I think it’s a lost art.

The package of surprises instantly lifted my spirits and reminded me truly how lucky I am to have so many people care about me.

When you share your struggles with people your battles become easier to fight because you gain an army to fight with you. It’s important to be able to stand alone and use your ‘thick skin’ when you have to, but life’s journey is always better, even if it’s tough, if it’s a shared with those that love you.