"Ouch, Charley"

I hurt when I hurt. This is a characteristic of human nature that I recognized years ago upon observing the behavior of individuals as they struggled with terminal illness. At times they would attempt to blame others around them for their discomfort, or even the illness itself. The overused cliche' rears up to say "misery loves company!", and indeed, if we reach down deep enough to the source, grab it with both hands, dredge it up and throw it out, are we really that cognizant of the pain it causes others? Or are we desperately begging someone, anyone, to lift our burden if only for a moment? I found myself guilty of such behavior, and although I am not terminally ill, I discovered that uneasiness in any one of the pillars that hold us up can and do cause pain. Emotional and spiritual disconnect, financial setbacks, physical injuries or illnesses arrive at our door and stay like unwanted guests until we find the grace to master them, or they overtake us. So, I hurt and even though I remember the lessons my father taught me as he suffered the physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial strains of a terminal illness, I haven't the strength he had to accept it alone.