I came to visit a friend in her workplace today.
She just started working again after her mom died a couple of days ago.
I came unsure because 1) my visit was unannounced and 2) I didn’t know if she wanted a visit. Nevertheless, I went: umbrella in one hand and a box of cupcakes in the other.
I saw a lot of things when I saw her upon my arrival in the office. I saw pain in her eyes when she cheerily greeted me ‘hi’. There was sadness in her lips as she tried to smile. In her face I saw nights of inadequate sleep and exhaustion after all the things she experienced the past two weeks.
My friend was tired and sad.
Mostly sad.
I wished I could help… if only to lessen the pain a bit.
We started talking.
I asked her how she was, what happened, how she felt.
She did most of the talking
And I listened intently – giving her my utmost attention.
And she cried, too, in between her stories
In between laughs when she remembers a funny experience
Or a story about her mom.
Most of the time I was quiet.
Watching and listening.
And feeling sad that my friend is sad.
