What They Don't Know

a future collection of stories to tie us together

“What they don’t know”  is my attempt at feeling less alone during the deepest grief I have known. Most people have experienced grief on some level if they’ve been around long enough. We all walk past each other on the sidewalks, and interact in elevators, Ubers, restaurants, grocery stores. We still have to keep moving in the world no matter how heavy the load we carry is. But that load is invisible. And while some of us wear it on our faces or in our postures, others mask it and hide it from the world. Most often than not it is impossible to believe that anyone could understand what we are going through. And while it is true no two losses, traumas, or experiences are exactly the same, the thread of grief strings us together. Grief has familiarities most of us can relate to, no matter the level. 

I want to know if there is a moment that has stayed with you when you have gone through your version of grief where you had to interact with someone and you wish they knew what you were going through but you couldn’t share it with them. Whether it’s the clerk at the grocery store who was rude to you on a day you needed some grace, or someone who showed you even the simplest of kindnesses without realizing the impact it would have on you in that particular moment. Here’s one of my versions of “what they don’t know” as an example. My only ask in how you share your story is that somewhere you include a version of the words “what they don’t know, what she didn’t know, what he doesn’t know” etc. If you want to share a “what they don’t know” story with me, I will pick one to put here on my substack one monday a month. They can be anonymous or not, that will be up to you. Please send your story to wtdkstories@gmail.com Thank you for sharing a piece of your grief, I hope it lightens your load x