I went to spend the afternoon by the river. It was a beautiful day - around 66°, sun out. Shirt off, feet in the water, grass between my toes. Soaking up warmth in what’s supposed to be winter. I’ll take it.

I was sitting alone up on the hill when a girl walked by. She said “Merry Christmas.” A little later she came back and asked if she could sit with me. I said of course, always down to take on a chat with people.

She was in her mid-20s, recovering from meth and coke apparently. About a month clean. Staying at a recovery house in town that I didn’t even know existed. From what she shared, she was doing okay, but it was clear she really needed someone to listen. Someone who wasn’t judging or rushing her.

As we talked, I could feel how helpful it was for her just to be heard. I offered some gentle insight where it felt right - nothing heavy, just things she might not have been exposed to before. From what she told me, she’d been around a lot of rough people who didn’t really care about her.

Eventually, someone from the recovery house pulled her aside. She wasn’t in the area she was supposed to be in, and it cut the conversation short. I didn't care for that tbh, but I don't make the rules. It did make me think how a simple conversation like that can be far more healing than we often realize.

About twenty minutes later, she called out to me from across the field and asked if I’d come sit with her again in another spot. We kept talking. I listened more. She shared more. She even told me it was one of the best moments she’d had in a long time - maybe the highlight of her month. That meant a lot. Listening to people has always been something I enjoined.

I’m rooting for her. She has a lot of potential. I shared a few simple things that have helped me - getting sunlight on your skin, being mindful of the light you’re exposed to, especially harsh LEDs at night and how they mess with your circadian rhythm. She said no one had ever explained that to her before. It clicked. She told me how the light in her room actually hurts her eyes at night.

Small things, you know? But sometimes small things matter a lot.

I guess the point of all this is simple: if you can be of help, just do it. People are hurting more than we realize. Sometimes all they really need is to be seen, heard, and treated with a little respect - even if it’s just for a moment.