Honey, I've Lived It.

An adult was talking to me the other day about the troubles they were going through in life. Inflation, their thoughts on divorce, their kids, the disagreements she was having with some of her friends... I sat with her while she talked about these problems with me... Bouncing ideas off of me, listening to my take on things... After the twenty or thirty minute venting session, it ended with, "Thanks for listening... Even though most of it was probably above your head."
Inflation... The economy. Please. No, I don't have a job, but I have parents that do. I have a dad that commutes 80 miles a day, that spends nearly a fifth of his money on driving to work. I have a mom, a single mom, that has a job, but it always seems like there is never quite enough... A family shouldn't have to live pay check by pay check... I don't understand... I'm living it.
Problems with friends... Ha... I've dealt with this since 3rd grade. I'm a senior and I'm still dealing with it. My biggest piece of advice to my confused confidant... it's very hard to have any successful friendships until you find out who you are personally... And then you figure out the qualities you need and don't need in a friends. I don't get it. Pshh... They don't get it.
Hold up. I thought. Above my head? As if I didn't understand what divorce was. I not only knew what it was, I understood it. I not only know what happens to the two people leaving each other, but I have felt and seen them pull apart, taking half my heart with one, and the other half with the other. See, she was only thinking what it would do to her husband and herself, but what about their kids? If she thinks it will be unbearable for her, what would it be for the young kids? She has no idea how hard it is to mend two little hearts... Don't understand it? Honey, I've lived it.