If I could walk in your shoes for a day, what would the voices say to me, what would the faces look like? Could I survive your reality or would I go mad?
*Since his pre-teens, my son has struggled with a myriad of mental health issues. Diagnosed at age 12 with severe panic/anxiety disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, he also has bouts of depression, and times when he experiences auditory and visual hallucinations. As much as I try to be empathetic, I can’t totally grasp what he’s going through. Some days, I’ve wished I could be inside his head, to experience what he does, so that I could understand and perhaps be better equipped to help him. Yet, being witness to his episodes of panic and depression, I don’t think I could survive them with as much strength and courage as he does.
Thin spiral notebook 
“Could I survive in your reality or would I go mad?”
What a beautiful, empathetic, perfect question! Could any of us survive another person’s reality? It is unfathomable to try to stand inside the head of one who suffers so much, but when that one is someone you love so much, the unfathomable becomes impossible to do without. You are a wonderful mother doing the very best she can to try to understand the reality that her beloved son must face. Loving and supporting him is all you can do. We can never truly understand what it is like inside another’s head, but we can listen, and empathize, and love. You are doing all of this beautifully.
Love, light, and strength to both of you.
Thank you for writing this exquisite piece.
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I can’t even imagine what you must be going through, let alone your son. But you’ve written a beautiful and stark piece that shows your love and empathy for him.
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ahh, Tara . . . the description of Empathy is the ability to walk in someone’s shoes . . . you show much empathy (and motherly love) by asking the questions you do. Hugs to you and your son.
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He sounds like a good, strong kid (: It’s wonderful that you care so much for him.
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You’d go mad. It would break your heart. I can’t imagine any of my three girls going through what your son and I do. The fact you would means you’re an amazing mother. Thank you for showing me this.
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I think you are both brave and courageous and just your maternal instinct to understand, heal, encourage him is just as important as the other parts that push to want him to be better and whole.
I respect that about you, I sit in awe at your acceptance of it and the thought of it will not get the best of either of us. It was a great crafting of those thoughts.
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Very nice.
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This shows me that you are an awesome mom! I wish less understanding people out there could walk in your shoes for a day. I admire your son’s strength and courage too, your compassion, and your skillful use of these 33 words.
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I can only imagine what it’s like for each of you…
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‘what would the voices say’… those would be tough shoes to fill. A thoughtful response using both prompts.
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