on the power of community

Last night on CLC

almost everyone was more or less discouraged 

by the retreat

or by life in general.

É. is in a more depressed period again

and I was pretty much as low as ever.

She told us about the mess in her flat 

that prevents her from cooking or just doing everyday stuff

I told them about the job-case

and cried quite a bit

(which may cleanse my psyche but certainly not my glasses :D)

the others listened attentively and compassionately 

as always.

Then we had one more round to reflect on what we heard.

And at that point, people stepped in

not only with words that built us both up

but also with practical suggestions 

which by God's grace were totally well aimed

so in the end we decided to go and help É. tidy up her flat for Christmas

and I promised them to hand in my application by Monday.

We even laughed out loud a bit

on J.'s vivid telling of unexpected visitors

(may God be merciful to them,

especially if they happen to open a shut door to peep in!).

We all declared to be relieved and grateful in the end. And I came home more hopeful than I had been for a good week or so.