In the quiet moments, when the world is still and the weight of battles fought and lost presses heavily upon the soul, it’s the scars that bear witness to the depth of the struggle. It’s not the losing that cuts the deepest, but the caring too much, the hope that each trial will lead to rainbows and gardens of butterflies and flowers, only to find it’s all but a fantasy.

These battles, they come knocking at our doors, unwanted guests that we fear to welcome, knowing the havoc they can wreak. Reality, cruel and unforgiving, forces us to open the door and greet these battles as old friends, though we know the pain they bring.

We try to remain strong, to put on a brave face, but deep down, we know that there’s always a breaking point. The pain in our hearts becomes a familiar companion, a burden too heavy to bear alone. We’re left speechless, unable to articulate the turmoil within, fearing that no one will understand the depths of our suffering.

“I’m fine,” we say, but it’s a mask, a plea for someone to see through the facade and offer solace. The nightmare of sadness and disappointment becomes overwhelming, and the facade crumbles, revealing the true self hidden behind the fake smile.

But know this, you are not alone in this struggle. Your battles are shared by countless others, and in the darkness, there is solace in the knowledge that you are not the only one.

Copyright © Beatriz Esmer