The Light of Friendship: Being Present in Moments of Need

“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.” 

- Henri Nouwen

Amidst the depths of our pain and sorrow, we often turn to the embrace of our dearest friends. Those who have stood by us through every hurdle, offering unwavering support and companionship. These are the ones who have witnessed our darkest moments and shared our greatest joys.

I have been graced with a group of friends who have been my guiding light since the days of playgrounds and recess. They have held my hand through the most trying times in my life, filling the spaces where words could not. They have been the silent presence that has given me the courage to confront my fears and the strength to carry on.

Over the years, I have come to realize that true friendship is not about fixing each other's problems or providing solutions. It is about sharing the pain, touching the wounds, and being present in the moment. It is about extending a warm and tender hand that reaches out in times of need and offering a steadfast shoulder that offers comfort and support.

The friends who can be silent with us in moments of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in hours of grief and bereavement, are the ones who truly care. They are the ones who understand that not everything can be fixed and that sometimes, all we need is someone to be with us in the reality of our powerlessness.

I hope that I too have been a friend who has lived up to Henri Nouwen's words. I hope that I have been able to offer my friends the same warmth and tenderness that they have bestowed upon me. For in the end, it is these moments of shared pain and vulnerability that define the depth and beauty of friendships.

Be the gentle soul who shares the burden of your dearest friends in moments of despair, who stand firm in the abyss of grief and loss beside them. May your unwavering presence be a beacon of hope, a comforting embrace to many in the darkest of hours.

Namaste.

@mijielinalee