A couple of weeks ago I sat on the bench and like on the proverbial analyst’s couch laid bare my soul to a conversation so deep and so near to my spirit that that it both flayed and soothed me. I was able to speak of my fears and really look at myself, at the things I have been, the things I experienced and the things I wanted to experience again and anew… and I was given the gift of being listened to and heard… I had begun to believe that grown men had no interest in hearing a grown woman…but my belief had been misguided by heartache and betrayal… My conversation with myself and him laid my belief on the road of truth and right again…to the possibilities of life; of affections and connections.

On that park bench I made myself vulnerable and open and was rewarded with a quiet understanding and with an acceptance that was deep and felt so palpably genuine. I was given a glimpse of myself through the eyes of another – and in his sight I saw myself as the vulnerable woman I am – the big talker, with a Spirit so bruised and so afraid of being hurt again. What joy to have had that exquisite space because for once in a long, long time I could sit with my vulnerability, and not feel that I needed to be strong and firm and protect my heart. I sat with it…and he sat with it…we sat with it…and it was good. I was overwhelmed…and I could sit with it. I was afraid…and I could sit with it. I felt foolish …and I could sit with it. I was naked…and I could sit with it. I was opening myself…and I could sit with it.

As I felt my heart open little by little I was mystified afresh by the understanding that there are men who can hear women…who know how to sit with silence…who understand that it is good to sit with silence…to let the emotions and feelings wash over others and allow them to be offered solace and ablution…Being there offered succor and a closeness that wrapped me in deep, and my soul was Marked.