I, me, you and us

I’ve been thinking about relationships today. Important relationships. I know there are times you wonder about why Dad and I argue, especially about stupid things. Well, let’s put that aside and talk about another relationship.

We have a friend who’s been dating a man she really likes. The two of them have great personalities and they are both quite smart so they can laugh at jokes that are subtle and esoteric. Those are good qualities and bode well for a deeper friendship.

But for some reason, these two people who obviously like each other can’t talk about anything important. They can’t talk about their foibles, about the joys in their lives and the things that make them stumble. More importantly, they can’t talk about what’s happening between the two of them.

When everything is unspoken, then nothing is understood. It’s that simple. I’ve always been a believer that truth saves. It’s often hard to talk truth, and sometimes it’s even unwise. But ultimately, it’s important to tell people what you really think and really feel if you want them to trust you, or even love you.

That’s why people fight – with words, of course. It’s called communication. We are each individuals who are sheltered by our own skins, but we are also made to reach out to others, to connect in some important way. That doesn’t mean that we all have to agree on everything, or certainly not that we have to think the same way about everything.

It just means we have to talk. We have to say things that are meaningful to us and hope that they somehow translate to that other person.

I hope our two friends can bridge that gap. In the meantime, let’s just keep talking.