Last night, I was on the phone with my best friend. I wasn’t feeling too good, and I guess he could hear it over the phone. (Which, if you ask me is insane). He immediately asked if I was okay, if something happened. I was so confused. I was asked this question so many times by so many people today, some who I didn’t even know. I asked him why he asked that. His response: you sounded like someone kicked your puppy.

Immediately I thought through my day. Nothing happened that would have caused me to feel sad and off. I just couldn’t pin point why I felt so off. I mention this to him, stating that I don’t understand how people around me immediately see that I’m ‘off’ or upset. He informs me that I ‘radiate my emotions’. If anything confused me before, this absolutely confused me. ‘Radiate my emotions’? How is that possible? If anything, if I feel ‘off’ I try to cover it up as much as possible. ‘Why make others feel sad when you can make them feel happy?’ is my thought process.

He explains to me that I wear my emotions on my sleeve. Anyone can see it, and as much as I want to hide it, its just not in my personality to do so. He further explains to me that its okay to feel down. That I need to learn to trust people and open up to them when I feel so. How else could they help me when I don’t? ‘You’d want me to come to you when I’m upset don’t you? So why don’t you do the same to me?’

I would be lying if I said that question didn’t stump me. For me the answer was obvious: Yes, I want him to come to me when he was upset, because I know I can help fix it. The only reason why its harder for me to go talk to him is because I’m scared of being dependent on people. I’m scared of opening up to people. What if they leave? I get overly attached as it is.

I share these thoughts with him. Worried that I have already said too much, worried that I have now officially scared him off. Instead he stays. He tells me that’s what friends do. They are there for each other, through the thick and thin. He indirectly reminds me that that’s what we as humans should do for each other. To be each other’s biggest supporters, especially during the hard times.

So, here’s to all the people out there who didn’t leave. Who stuck it through all the tough muddy stuff, and stayed. Who brought over ice cream when we were in our room ugly crying our eyes out. Who belts our favorite lyrics out in long car rides to clear our minds. Who picks up the phone and listen when we are at lost for words. These are the unsung heroes. The reason why the world keeps on moving.