Unexpected, Raw, Beautiful

You know those moments when you feel like life couldn't possibly have aligned any more perfectly? Those moments when you're just certain you were in the right place at the right time with the right people? Those moments when something ordinary becomes something extraordinary? 

I should be cleaning, doing laundry, packing, sorting, making lists, or anything else that would be progress towards getting me prepared to leave in TWO days... but right now this is more important than a timeline or an itinerary. 

Today's only trip-unrelated event was supposed to be an hour or two brunch with a semi-new friend to just catch up and complain about jobs, money, stress, etc. And that's how it started, but somehow over the course of the 5 hours... at some point and I'm not entirely sure how or when... it became so much more than that.

It became a chance to be real and honest with another person. It became a chance to show someone the real me and my struggles and feel accepted and understood rather than shamed and shunned. It became a chance to support a friend in their struggles and show them the love, acceptance, and understanding they deserve in the midst of their fight. For either of us to be willing to share what we did, took guts. This isn't something you just casually go around telling people and when you do... it can be incredibly terrifying and risky. You never know how what you say will be perceived or if anything you say will change what they think of you. The last thing anyone wants to be seen as is simply their battle, their struggle, their fight. There is so much more to us than just that. To be able to be seen for who you are - the whole you - and still be loved and valued and accepted... There's no other feeling like it in the world. 

The conversation we had was such an unexpected, raw, beautiful kick off for my entire trip. From the beginning I said this trip was about healing and after today I KNOW there will be some level of healing along the way. 

I am hopeful. I am optimistic. I am emboldened. 

Three feelings I haven't felt in a very, very long time... It likely won't last, because it seldom does, but if not, at least I know they're nearby and where to find them.