HER

She was a presence that was both grounding and elusive, a person who shared a quiet understanding of life that resonated deeply with me. Her way of seeing the world, with all its complexities, was not unlike my own. We both understood the weight of living, the way life can be both beautiful and exhausting, full of hope and sorrow in equal measure. We didn’t need to say much to communicate this understanding, it was simply felt, in the way we both navigated the ups and downs with a quiet determination.

Her presence brought a sense of peace to my own life. Though she often remained in the shadows, quietly observing, there was a trust in her eyes that spoke volumes. She allowed herself to be vulnerable around me, not in the obvious ways, but in the subtle, quiet moments when she let her guard down just enough to show me her true self. In those moments, I could see the layers beneath her calm surface, the vulnerability, the weariness, the longing for connection, and the deep strength she carried within her. It was as if she trusted me to understand her, to see her complexity without judgment, and that trust was something I held close, knowing it was not easily given.

In her, I saw a reflection of my own struggles. We both understood the push and pull of wanting more out of life while also being held back by our own fears, doubts, and insecurities. She had an ability to be present in a way that made me feel less alone, as though she, too, was walking a similar path. It was a comfort within silence, yet somehow, we managed to keep moving forward, together, even if in our own separate ways.

She had a way of handling life that I admired. There was no pretense, no need to prove anything to anyone. She just was, authentically, quietly, but with a deep sense of self-awareness. She knew her own worth, even if she didn’t always show it. And in that quiet confidence, there was a sense of peace that I couldn’t help but gravitate toward. She wasn’t someone who sought validation, nor was she the type to share her struggles openly. But I could see the weight she carried, and in that, I found a kind of silent solidarity.

Her impact on me was subtle yet profound. She taught me, without words, how to bear my burdens with grace. She showed me the strength that comes from acknowledging quitely her own vulnerability, she showed me how to find peace within solitude, how to seek stillness when everything else is in motion, and how to trust in the process, even when the path ahead is unclear.

In a world that often demands too much, she was a reminder that it’s okay to take a step back, to retreat into the quiet and just be. That sometimes, the greatest strength lies in embracing the silence, in letting go of the need to control everything, and simply trusting that, in time, things will unfold as they are meant to.

And through all of this, her trust in me showed in unveiled way. She didn’t need to explain herself in detail for me to understand. The way she showed up for me, in her own quiet way, spoke volumes. I felt her trust as a presence, a subtle, unspoken bond that made me feel out of space and time. In return, I cherished her for her strength, her vulnerability, and her ability to move through life with a quiet, unshakable resolve that somehow made the world feel just a little bit more manageable. She was a person who may never have fully revealed all of herself, but in her shadow, even when we both felt lost, shall we find peace and light.

Reviews

[JayG]

One thing we must always do when writing is to edit from that of a reader, who has only the context we evoke or supply. You begin reading with full context and backstory. The reader is a blank slate that you write on.

With that in mind, look at this as that reader must.

Paragraph 1

Someone unknown, of unknown age, gender and situation, in an unknown place, is saying nice things about an unidentified “she”, of unknown situation and relationship, for unspecified reasons.

Paragraph 2 through 6

Someone unknown, of unknown age, gender and situation, in an unknown place, is saying nice things about an unidentified “she”, of unknown situation and relationship, for unspecified reasons.

For you, as you read, your knowledge of the backstory, the situation, and WHY this was written are clear, so, it works. But... it’s written in past tense. Did the person leave? Did they die? Did they grow up and marry, or did the speaker do that? You know. And if this is a eulogy for someone close to you it’s complementary and nice. But for the stranger who picks it up? It’s someone unknown, of unknown age, gender and situation, in an unknown place, saying nice things about an unidentified “she,” of unknown situation and relationship, for unspecified reasons.

My point? You write well, but need to take the reader’s viewpoint into account and provide context as each line is read.

[White swan]

Appreciate the feedback.