safe place

I remember that first time we had tea together and we talked and talked as our daughters played. It was so easy for me to tell you that I had been recently separated and all the hard things around it. You have such a peace and warmth about you. You listened and asked so respectfully. I never gave away anything in those early days but with you I could open up so easily.

You were my safe place.

Saturday night we celebrated your birthday and I was thinking about how important this safe place is always for all of us. It is obvious to say we need it when things are hard but a safe place makes even smooth sailing a comfort. It can help us fly higher when times are good or take us in when things are unbearable.

A safe place has absence of malice and gossip. There is no search for the headline, no need to make the individual feel better at the cost of your own misery. A safe place can be where we can put our fears and our hopes.  It is a place to run to, a place to hide, at times, a place that is so good to us we find we can return to the hardship  ready and strong. Safe place is confident  and peaceful. It is  human with  no delusions about one’s own life and the struggle we all have. They listen with wise ears and perspective.

Happy Birthday, safe place.

 

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2 thoughts on “safe place

  1. My dearest Nancy.
    Thank you for this most precious of gifts – warming my heart on this mercilessly cold winter day. You have been such a place for me my good friend. This safte place is where we can be authentically and deeply human – sharing our joys, questions and pains together.
    I thought I would share this poem “The Guest House” by Jelalludin Rumi with you:

    This being human is a guest house.
    Every morning a new arrival.

    A joy, a depression, a meaness,
    some momentary awareness comes
    as an unexpected visitor.

    Welcome and entertain them all!
    Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
    who violently sweep your house
    empty of its furniture,
    still, treat each guest honorably.
    He may be clearing you out
    for some new delight.

    The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
    meet them at the door laughing,
    and invite them in.

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