Member-only story
I Didn’t Answer My Phone This Time…And I’m Okay With That
For years I’ve been the go to. Family, friends, hell even strangers in restrooms have wanted my ear. Its my fault I’ve been overly giving of it.
Call it a gift and a curse.
Listening has always been my strong suit. I do it naturally, with no thought. Time doesn’t seem to exist when I listen. And before you know it, an hour has passed. This has granted me praise for being a good listener, and trust from knowing their secrets are safe with me.
The latter has left me emotionally empty at times. Few questions are asked of me. You know the, “How are you doing? How is the family?” kind. And if they do its only after they’ve exhausted everything they had to say.
Gee thanks.
But, I’ve put myself in this position. I created this monster of being that one everyone could depend on. I answered every call. Why? Because I wanted to be there for my friends and family. Because you never know if it may be the last time you talk to them. Because you never know if they’re on the brink of doing something terrible or are in trouble.
Mainly I’ve come to find, it was because they’ve got something to say and I want to hear it. I have to hear it. Who else would they talk to? They called me.
