Overwhelmed... In A Good Way

The following is an email I received today from a friend. I have removed all identifying names and places, to protect the privacy of my friend, as I didn't ask her permission to post this.

Hey! I have been catching up on your blogs this morning, as I have been busy and haven't had a lot of time to do that lately. I just wanted to tell you how great I think you are. While reading, I laughed and cried, thinking of all the good and not always good times we have had. Our xxxxx discussion xxxxxxxxxx really helped me. I was reminded of how honest you are, not being afraid to tell people your story, even if it isn't always pretty. I also want perfection, feeling overwhelmed if I can't be perfect. I get myself in too deep, completely overwhelming myself, and then I give up. I admire your honesty and I love your beauty. I count you among my most genuine and real friends. You mean a lot to me and I wanted to tell you this. You're not perfect, neither am I, but together, we are some pretty bad bitches. Please know that you can count on me if you ever need anything. Take care of your beautiful face. Love you. - xxxxxxxx

In living a life, whereas in the past, I have been "chewed up and spit out" for trusting others with the real me, it is refreshing to know that someone not only benefitted from my honesty, but admires me for it as well. I have often left myself open and vulnerable, and consequently, my words and/or actions were twisted into something totally untrue. Thank you, my friend, for truly knowing me and still loving me. Thank you for taking my words as I meant them, not twisting them or hurting me with them. I feel like, at 34 years of age, I can finally let go (if only just a little bit) of the bullshit that's haunted me since my adolescence. Maybe, vulnerability and genuine, honest openness is actually a gift?

I have other blogs, still in "draft" mode, that I have yet to finish or publish, due to this fear of what others might think or say about them. Blogs, short stories and a novel, fiction and non-fiction, started but never shared because of this fear. Right now, I'm thinking "huh, maybe I could share those stories".

If you believe in somebody, if you love them or admire them, even just a little bit, tell them. It could mean the world to them. It could change them.

It overwhelmed me... In a good way.