If the topic of relationships with parents hadn’t been brought up… if I hadn’t randomly asked the girl to my right whether she was close to her mom starting a chain of answers leading to you… I guess we all wouldn’t have seen those ten minutes of you completely crumbling as you revealed that your mother passed away just a few years ago. God, it’s crazy isn’t it? Pain - the initial surface wound does scab and eventually heal over but the deeper bruise and scar it leaves just never, ever goes away. It took all of ten seconds for that pain to resurface for you, and watching your eyes suddenly flick toward the ground, your fingers awkwardly grab at each other searching for the strength to push it back down, but failing because goddamn when that pain decides to spring back up there’s no stopping it… As the tears inevitably came and we all became quiet, all I could think was, how, how were you so strong? These past four years I’ve dealt with depression and phases of hibernation because I just couldn’t handle things, and while suffering is relative, the grief following something like the death of someone so close is something I’ve been fortunate enough not to experience yet, and I can’t even imagine what I’d do… If I’ve struggled so much with these problems I have now, how much more would I have completely fallen apart if I had to face something of that magnitude? How broken would I have been?

To you, who never once showed such pain except for those few minutes today… for always smiling and being one of the brightest, friendliest faces on campus despite it all… such strength is so incredibly inspiring and beautiful. To face such adversity and still work so hard, still smile so warmly at everyone - I only hope I can do the same in the times to come ahead - through both the good and the bad.

Liquid`Nazgul

22427 Posts

September 27 2011 03:39 GMT

amen

Sermokala

United States14045 Posts

September 27 2011 03:48 GMT

when I clicked on this blog I wasn't ready for that.

I can't really say words but this has affected me I don't know what else to say. I lost my uncle recently and I always felt the same.

blog of the year award. make it. for this.

Torte de Lini

Germany38463 Posts

September 27 2011 03:56 GMT

Strong words.

(5/5)

Dalguno

United States2446 Posts

September 27 2011 04:07 GMT

There's no person I respect more on TL than you. Well written and a good sentiment. Respect to you, and thank you.

Fontong

United States6454 Posts

September 27 2011 04:16 GMT

Right on...

My girlfriend's mom died about 6 years ago or so, but it's so easy to see sometimes that it might as well have been yesterday. Especially when her dad had surgery for lymphoma earlier this year...sometimes there's just nothing you can say to make things better.

Temporarykid

Canada362 Posts

September 27 2011 04:20 GMT

My mother and I were never particularly close, we still aren't.

But I wish I had a mum I could talk to, one who'd always be there for me.

Thank you for making me take a moment out of my day to reflect on what could have been. Very short but powerful words.

Chairman Ray

United States11903 Posts

September 27 2011 04:28 GMT

bkrow

Australia8532 Posts

September 27 2011 04:29 GMT

Thank you for sharing this.

We all appreciate it.

Grobyc

Canada18410 Posts

September 27 2011 04:50 GMT

#10

Quality poster star doesn't just reflect on your translations

RogerX

New Zealand3180 Posts

September 27 2011 05:12 GMT

#11

Thank you, wonderful blog, amazing words.

10/10

Indrium

United States2236 Posts

September 27 2011 05:12 GMT

#12

God damn it I already had a nervous breakdown tonight I do not need more stuff that makes me emotional.

Thanks for sharing. Seriously. (Not sarcasm because I still feel like even the seriously came off sarcastic.)

DivinO

United States4796 Posts

September 27 2011 05:19 GMT

#13

Thank you for sharing.

CaucasianAsian

Korea (South)11584 Posts

September 27 2011 05:26 GMT

#14

Damn...

p4NDemik

United States13896 Posts

September 27 2011 05:29 GMT

#15

Sheds a humbling light on any of the petty things I've been fretting over lately. You're lucky to have a friend like that.

Noev

United States1105 Posts

September 27 2011 05:30 GMT

#16

Really well said, thanks for this it made all the difference in my night

duk3

United States807 Posts

September 27 2011 05:36 GMT

#17

Thank you for this.

Ciryandor

United States3735 Posts

September 27 2011 05:50 GMT

#18

People can find strength in the strangest places. Once you find it, hold on to it. And when you find that someone takes that strength from you, be grateful and repay their trust. :D