Doesn't grandma look pretty here? I hope she was as happy on the inside that day as she looks on the outside. How did she do it? Raising seven children with the pressure (especially in 1950s-60s American life) to be the perfect wife and mother. I'm sure we all still feel that pressure to some extent in our lives today - to look like we're "holding it all together" while on the inside we're hurting and falling apart. There are topics that people just don't talk about - marital problems, depression and other mental illness, addiction - leaving the sufferers to wallow in their loneliness as they're ironically surrounded by people going through the same things.
We live in such a "sharing" culture, but yet we're so isolated. So much darkness inside. And while it's not "fun" to bring these topics up with others, it can bring more substance and light to our lives and to those we're sharing with as we seek answers and peace together. Yet how can we share in a supportive way - in love and to help others realize "I'm not alone!"? I know that I have covenanted to "bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort" and because I have, I know God will help me to help others if I but try. It's a starting point but effort by effort, we will be changed.
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