to be secretive, unless someone specifically requests that I do. In that circumstance, I always respect that.

A friend called and told me something in confidence last night that is great news. Another friend has had a big sack of awesome news happening to him/her/it for some time now, the kind of a secret (Well, not really secret secret, but not truly widely distributed knowledge) that makes me say

There are others, as well.

there are things I know that I have been asked to keep to myself, that hurt. Really, really hurt. Things I have been told, or experienced myself, that are like carrying a huge millstone- the worries and sicknesses and troubles of many people who I pray for daily because there is nothing else left but prayer.

Likewise, there are people I know personally and professionally who dislike me intensely. People who, though they are damaged beyond repair, also get my prayers, because I cannot repair their damage nor can I do anything else for them. And they do not deserve to have their damage exhibited for the world to see, no matter how they try to harm me with their half truths and lies.

I’m sure plenty of people have that same sort of burden in their lives.

So when a friend calls and says “hey! I’m moving to Boca!” or “I have a new cow” or “My goose has begun to lay Faberge eggs but don’t say a word to anyone” my heart soars, because it is as if they have tied a great blimp to my millstone, and made it less hard to bear.

Thank you. You know who you are.