I Know Somebody

 

I know somebody who is very, very angry.  Everyone gets angry sometimes, but he doesn't know why he is angry, and that bothers him a lot.  I wish I could help him find the answer, and help him find some peace, but it's one thing I can't do.  All I can do is listen, and offer whatever comfort I can.      I know somebody who is desperately in love.  Romantic love is something he hasn't felt in a long, long time, and love like this he has never felt, ever.  It's so powerful it shakes him to the soul.  He used to be afraid of nothing; now all he fears is losing her.      I know somebody who has been away from his family for several weeks, unwillingly.  Now he is home and can reconnect with his loved ones.  I wish him well.      I know somebody whose heart is longing, whose needs are so great that they hurt.  And when it looked like maybe they might get met, things took a turn for the worse, and she got hurt.  I cry for her, I want so for her to be happy.      I know somebody who has so much to say, so much wisdom, such sincere desire to help someone, but she is too often taken for granted, and so often left behind, she has learned to keep her counsel.  And that is sad, because there is much of worth there.  And it pains her to be so cut off, but it's necessary.  The alternative hurts more.      I know somebody who is so confused about his own mind that his confusion permeates his every relationship, stunting some, nourishing others.  I took him for a ride to show him a few things, but he saw nothing.     I know somebody caught up in a life of misery, who is unwilling to leave.  Yet.  He pushes away those who get too close, who might get through.  He calls himself a hermit, but is entirely too connected with people all around him.  He finally quit pushing me, and for that I am so very, very grateful.  I respect his boundaries.     I know a lot of somebodies, many, many more than I have spoken of here.  And they all have stories, fascinating stories.  All have stories I can't tell, beyond these quick sketches, because they are not my stories.  I love all these people.     See, the origin of the word kin (ken) is "understand."  Kinfolks used to refer to people you understood well, not necessarily blood relatives, but the meaning got changed over time.  Kin also means to love, and that's very important, because to understand IS to love.