The Acquaintance

There you are again. How many times have I seen you, exchanged smiles, muttered a friendly hello and received a response in kind.? I know you yet I don’t. Most of the time we brush past each other and go our separate ways, never giving each other a second thought. But today, I look out across the crowd , into your laughing eyes and I see that glimpse of darkness behind your perfect smile.

Then I begin to wonder how our lives could be so similar yet seem so different on the surface. I wonder if the emotion underneath the mask is an indication of inner sadness, rage or just plain indifference. You seem to have it all together. Your life appears as a story book to the rest. But I see you have a secret and I share in that uneasiness. I wonder to myself, what kind of beautiful friendship could possibly be formed from the common bond we have, yet I will probably never approach you to pursue it.

Why must we live with this facade of perfection? It doesn’t seem to benefit either one us for hidden flaws cannot be repaired. How can we possibly relate to one another or others if we are not able to share our mistakes, our hurts, and our frustrations? Why is it so difficult to let people in to the inner workings of our mind? Without transparency, we are like the clouds which hide the sunshine from our soul.

The next time I see you, I will notice your perfectly groomed hair, your flawless fingernails, your pristine designer bag and the poised way you carry yourself. We will nod and smile. But next time, if the hint of sadness still shows beneath the forced but natural looking smile, I will stop and show you that I care. Kind words or gentle touch…. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll be able to see within my expression that I have internal shadows too and our familiar nods will become knowing glances that lead to lengthening conversations. And we will begin to open our hearts to letting others in, to sharing more of our souls and to the clarity that sharing our needs, faults and imperfections can bring. For as much as we are alike, so are others and we do not have to endure this life alone.