Dear Reader Column 05-09-08

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Dear Reader,

One of my goals in life is to be approachable. If someone walked into a room filled with strangers and they needed someone's assistance, I would like to be the person they feel comfortable enough to come over and talk to. Don't get the wrong idea. It's not like I'm out to save the world and I have no desire to solve everyone's problems, but I think it brings people a lot of comfort when they feel like they're not alone.

When I was a kid and felt scared or embarrassed there really wasn't anyone around to listen. And if I did manage to get up the courage to tell someone how I was feeling, they looked at me in a strange way. The message I got was that I shouldn't have admitted such a thing, and that nobody else in the world has ever felt like I was feeling, at that very moment. So I started keeping feelings to myself. But it feels lonely when you think you're the only one.

People don't have to sit by someone's side to make them feel like they're not alone. In fact, sometimes I haven't even known them. When my cat Rudy was missing and my husband and I went to the local pound to post a photo and description, I waited in the car. I couldn't bring myself to walk in, and while I was waiting, I saw a husband and wife holding hands as they were walking out of the shelter. The woman was crying and her husband was holding back tears. Immediately I thought to myself, "There goes another couple who have lost their pet and they look like they're ready to give up hope--just like I was beginning to feel. Seeing them gave me comfort. I wasn't taking comfort in their loss, but they made me realize that I wasn't alone.

Even long distance I try my best to let a friend know they're not alone...

"Thinking about you today. If I were there I'd give you a hug."

It's nice to know you're not alone.

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
http://www.DearReader.com

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