Struggles

Good day…
Each of us has a unique life story of our personal journey - a work in progress. It is important to take time to listen to each other. Among other things, this helps us navigate life more effectively.
Below is a capture of one such story which I was privileged to hear this past week. I respectfully salute those who express courage, hope, wisdom, and honesty amidst their struggles, and in telling their stories. 

SYLVIA
 
We met today quite casually
When I checked out at a clothing store
We talked about life while you processed 
The items that I would soon pay for 
 
Quite professional in your conduct
With a faint Spanish accent noted
So too, there was a symbol of faith 
By the crucifix that you sported 
 
In honesty, you shared guardedly
Of how lost you’ve felt in brokenness 
Deserted by your childhood sweetheart
The hurt extremely hard to express 
 
Eyes welling with tears, you reminisced 
That over time you’d grown very close 
With no thought of being abandoned
By the one you had cherished the most 
 
Courageously, you’ve worked through this fate
For he’s connected to someone new
And you’ve given up on holding hope 
That he will ever return to you 
 
Taking care of yourself and your kids
You give as a steady provider 
Hearing this story, I sensed to say:
You are Sylvia the Survivor
 
As our talk closed, this too I did state:
We may run errands, with overt goals
Just to see these superseded by 
Human connections that touch our souls 
 
©2026 - David McAdam
www.davidmcadam.ca