Borrowed glasses

Hi friends -

Since moving to Knoxville, TN last year, I’ve made a number of new, super sweet girlfriends.

The women I’ve become close to are kind and introspective. We all have our wounds, triumphs, and battle scars, and we share a desire to become the best versions of ourselves.

It’s a beautiful thing.

This past Friday night, I went out to dinner with a few of these women to celebrate our friend Christie, who turned 52.

I pray to God every day that I’ll look like Christie at 52. She is absolutely gorgeous, both inside and out - she’s the one below in the red and black dress, next to her sweet dad, Don.

At one point during the dinner, Christie opened a couple of birthday cards. As she opened the first one, her best friend, Emily, instinctively passed Christie her reading glasses. She did this about a half-second before Christie said, “I can’t read this!”

Emily and Christie have been friends for decades — and the connection they share is palpable. The moment Emily handed Christie her glasses was brief — I doubt most at the table even noticed it — but I was struck by how meaningful the gesture was.

Christie didn’t even have to ask for help. Emily simply anticipated her need and then sprang into action.

I’ve seen others do the same thing. My mom and Aunt Angie pass reading glasses back and forth to each other. Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton share glasses in the movie Something’s Gotta Give.

One of the things I’ve noticed about sharing reading glasses is that it often occurs between two people who understand that words can become a little fuzzy with age.

…And so, they offer each other clarity — not with judgment, but with shared understanding.

Actually, this is kinda what therapy feels like to me.

As therapists, we have the unique opportunity and privilege to offer support in small, quiet moments — when we see someone is squinting, and we, without hesitation, hand them a clearer lens.

This is certainly what my therapist, Bridget, does for me (who, praise Jesus, is back from maternity leave). Bridget doesn’t solve the whole puzzle for me, but she helps me see the next piece.

The best kinds of friendships are like this, too, aren’t they? I have a few sacred friends in my life who gently offer me a new perspective, a reframing, a mirror — showing up again and again with “borrowed glasses.”

Does this remind you of someone who has done this for you?

Maybe take a brief moment today to express gratitude — either directly or just within your mind — for the ways they have helped you navigate the blurry parts of life.

If you want to tell me about the impact they’ve had on your life — I’d love to hear about them!

Warmly,

Rachel

Rachel Ledbetter, LMFT
CEO/Co-Founder, Motivo
rachel@motivohealth.com