Today in therapy we went deep. I realized that, growing up, all the adults physically close to me were unreliable or sucked. Thinking back, if I needed to talk to an adult for real help, the person within walking distance I'd feel most comfortable talking to was a specific stranger on my street.
This person had a large yard with a flower bed next to the street, which I'd walk past on my way to my brother's friend's place (I had no friends within walking distance). The stranger's flower bed was always in bloom because they'd change out the fake flowers every season. I found that charming.
My brother's friends' parents were intimidating. My parents were neglectful. My next-door neighbors were inconsiderate and scary.
A stranger with fake flowers was my best bet. I still think this as an adult.
Anyways, that's part of why I'm trying to be a friendly adult to younglings around me. I help the kids across the street catch their puppy. I check in with the kid climbing a tree that shouts "someone! Someone!" (He was a meter up and nervous about getting down on his own after his older sister ran back inside. He got down on his own.) I write my queer teen cousin to let him know that he's not the only queer in the family.
I just want kids to know that (while I'm not perfect) I'll try and help. #therapymoment #tryingtohelp