Words That Many Fear

Day 1219.

Out on the tiles in Mammoth I met a woman who’s child is mortally ill. She could die at any second. We agree to talk more.

I met another woman who’s best friend killed himself. I had read about him. She tells me how deeply guilty she feels for laughing, when she should be grieving. The guilt spins her around and brings her to tears.

These women are both in situations so grim.

How easy it is for me to hear them, to hold them, to comfort them.

The world in which I now live is filled with words that many fear.

As I speak to these women their companions and friends wince at my frank words and their jaws slacken in shock.

But the women themselves look up at me with light in their eyes, smile in recognition of what I have said and say “YES!!!”