Found my calling and it has nothing to do with marine life. Odd I know but in reality I can still fight a good fight for the marine animals I feel are being exploited or killed ruthlessly or otherwise.
All my life, or since I can remember I have always loved a good mystery or to help others. I would be the friend who just listened, took it all in and took it to the grave. That all changed in 9th grade; of course I still listened but when I met whom was to be my best friend in high school on orientation day she felt that she could trust me with her inner most secret. So there it was a secret that wasn't mine to tell but there was no way I could not tell anyone because not only was it hurting her but could potentially hurt another namely her sister. I asked questions and at the end of the day when the "parent" was to pick her up I called my mom and asked if she could stay the night. My mom being the ever charming self said well sure but she would have to ask her mom and I want to meet her mother as well. So we went to her house and my mother got acquainted with my new friends mom and she packed.
While staying over I convinced her to tell her mother the secret she had been harboring and that it could be her sister that will be harmed next. I went with her to school the next day; we had swim practice and spoke with the counselor. They immediately went into action and her mother came to school to speak with the counselor and vice principle. Her mother was horrified as you expect (not the case most times sorry to report) and called an attorney after the police. Her other parental figure was questioned and admitted to doing what my friend had said down to every last detail. The police are smart like that and did a covert call where the victim calls the perp and has him speak about the acts. The abuse had gone on for so long that he figured nothing was wrong. The reason it had was that my new friend didn't have someone she felt she could trust. You see trust is the most precious gift you can give someone because not only are giving the person yourself but also letting that person in to know who you are. Well to have a parent abuse you in that fashion is unimaginable. My new friend had decided that she no longer wanted anything to do with her father nor did her sister and her mother thanked my MOM for helping my new friend. When I asked my mom why did she thank her and not me for helping her daughter she said because "I raised you in such a way that she was thankful for that".
Wow in that moment not only was my mom proud but also I was that my parents had raised me in a way that I didn't think I could get a grown up in trouble but that my friend was being hurt. I trusted my parents to help me with the right decision and not only did I not have to consult them I knew the answer because of how they raised me.
Also because of the experiences I went through I was able to help my friend along in her process. We were best of friends until well that's another story.
So friends remember that listening is the most useful tool we have when being a true friend. Sometimes people just want to be heard.
Thanks for listening!! Btw my calling is helping victims.
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