“Sounds like he’s a good person to be around.” “Does it?” “You do a lot for other people.” She flips open my chart and lifts up a few pieces of paper. “You volunteer, you’ve mentored for the middle school girls, and just a few months ago you received that award for completing sixty hours of peer mediation. You’re a strong, amazing young woman. It’s wonderful that someone wanted to do something nice for you” LoveFriendshipSupportCaring Author:Sarah White, Our broken pieces
“She leans against the doorway and I can see how tired she is. Yet even with everything she has on her plate, she’s been there for me through all of this. I smile at her and then at my sister, feeling truly grateful to have such an amazing support group.” RelationshipsFamilySupport Author:Sarah White, Our broken pieces
“A friend of yours?” I shake my head but then nod. “I don’t know. I think so.” I tip my head in the direction of the office next door. “It was the guy, Gabe, from the waiting room. He pulled me into the boys’ room so the girls wouldn’t see me cry. Then he helped to sneak me out the visitors’ gate so I wouldn’t have to go back to class.” Laura offers an empathetic smile. “What did it feel like to have someone care about your feelings?” “I think it helped. My mom and sister have been trying to comfort me, but sometimes that makes me feel worse. They worry so much about me and I feel like I need to reassure them I’m going to be okay. I can’t just let it out.” “With Gabe you can?” “I guess. He helped me and then he made me laugh.” I feel my cheeks burn a little with embarrassment” FriendshipEmotional Support Author:Sarah White, Our broken pieces
“You’re afraid all of that will stop again if things don’t work out with someone new?” I let go of the string and look up into her eyes. She leans in, hugging her knees a little to close some distance. “It was just so hard to find the energy to get back into everything after he broke up with me. It just felt hopeless.” “Grief is normal. A lot of people sense a feeling of hopelessness when they experience a loss. You experienced a low, but you didn’t get stuck there. You’ve grown and put some good effort into rebuilding your life.” Her words put weight behind what I have been doing lately. I’ve learned it takes a lot of pieces to put a life back together, and I don’t ever want my world to revolve around anyone else again.” LifeRelationshipsSelf LoveSelf Faith Author:Sarah White, Our broken pieces
“I can’t help but blush a little at her compliment. I don’t do those things for the recognition, I do them because it makes me feel like I can make a difference, even if that difference might be small.” Giving BackGood HeartedMaking Difference Author:Sarah White, Our broken pieces