They will turn their backs on you—some intentionally, others not.
They will go back to their busy lives, their families, their bills, their kids, and their dreams, and simply not be able to be there for you.
Some may turn on you right out of the gate. Nastily.
Or they won't.
They will stand by you for weeks, months, or even years, supporting you and laughing and crying with you. They will see you through hard times, and you will do the same for them. You'll encourage each other to be strong, find your voice, build boundaries, and follow your heart. They will applaud you for having the courage to stand by your values and the guts to rebuild your life...
Until you disagree.
Maybe it will be a political disagreement.
Maybe it will be the one time you say, "I don't understand why ______ happened between us."
Maybe it will be the first time you say, "I love and appreciate you. I just can't do this thing you're asking of me because it feels wrong... or dangerous."
And then they will turn on you.
Not all people.
Not every time.
But enough people.
Enough times.
Until you become either hardened and bitter...
Or clearer and stronger.
Humbled. Committed to learning from these moments and trying to show up better for the people who remain - and for the people who have yet to arrive in your life.
These are the things no one tells you about rebuilding your life after loss.
Or simply figuring out your path.
You'll hear about the failures and the successes.
But almost no one talks about the wounds you collect along the way - and how those wounds quietly teach you who truly belongs beside you.
Your healing - your growth- will have a body count. People you thought would be in your life forever will leave. Some quietly. Some in a swirl of venom that you never saw coming. It will hurt.
But life is about choices, and this is no different: Preserve relationships that are contingent upon you never disagreeing, questioning, or being given the same voice that are championed outside of those relationships - or find the strength to acknowledge that even the relationships that were most cherished for years, may have to end for you to move into your own next chapter, and they into theirs.
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