This past summer my son played baseball and being new to the community, I didn't know any of the moms. I sat near Marcie, another mom eager to cheer on the team. She asked a bit about our family, and I told her of our move to Alberta. Not small talk, but the details of our journey to this new province, and the ups and downs of change that accompanied that. In return she shared with me her story of separation from her husband. The struggles that she had endured, and the effects of change on her family.
I was surprised that she had opened up so much with me on our first 'hi-nice-to-meet-you' encounter. With little hesitation, she had entrusted me with more than I would have expected or asked for. It was as though she was giving me a piece of her soul, and trusting that I would handle it with a delicate respect. I have absolute respect for Marcie.
I tell her now, as our friendship has grown, that her openness is what makes her a beautiful woman to me. Her beauty is in her honesty, her brokenness, and vulnerabilty. It takes a strong woman, to reveal her weakness.