Human Touch
Austin, TX | ©️ 2025 Alicia Kae Miller
Have you ever met someone with whom you instantly connected, and were so moved by that in the blink of an eye, they became a personal touchstone?
I have a monthly meet-up with a dear one who matches this description. So, when we got together over lunch recently, I was anxious to strengthen our bond further through active listening, and we did just that and then some.
As my friend shared bits about her bleak childhood, I was astonished by how she pointedly focused on a crack of light that pierced into the place that kept her safe, but silent—ultimately, finding safety in the strength of her voice as she crawled out from the darkness that had cloaked her for decades.
What strikes me the most about her truth-telling is that even in the face of her torment, she never betrayed the light inside that radiates from her to this day.
I share her lived experience both to bear witness and to illuminate affliction that we all have tucked deep inside. While we may choose not to make our suffering obvious to others, as humans, we can be sure that just below the surface of our collective skin lie unforgettable, life-changing moments and memories.
Until we meet again, support one another by meeting each other exactly where we are. ❤️
Yours in Solidarity, -akm
August 2025