me, too.

It's not what you think. Or maybe it is. The power of connection. Of hearing a chord and feeling similar notes rise up inside us to join. That's a thing. Called sympathetic resonance. According to Wikipedia: ..."a harmonic phenomenon wherein a formerly passive string or vibratory body responds to external vibrations to which it has a harmonic likeness."

When we dare to be honest - raw even - it strikes similar places in others and causes a stirring. A me-too-ing. And yes, the courage of those who spoke aloud of sexual assault stirred an enormous movement. It's also a small movement - two or three banding together - saying I know. About suicide. About mental illness. About estrangement. About love. About regret.

Yesterday, I wrote with shaking gratitude for a short recovered season of speaking love. I cannot breathe when I think of how different that day would have been without those months of re-connection. That hand-full of conversations such a treasure now. And a chord has risen from so many. Notes written into the night.... I had a brother... I have a sister... I struggled/struggle... I needed this... I love you... It is beautiful, this me-too-music. And heart-rending. But also hopeful. And encouraging. I survived... I listened... I will make good memories... I hold you close to my heart... I love you. Me. Too.

It's Biblical, you know. Me-too-ing. A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

And so, brave ones, voices rusty with silence or screaming, you are not alone. Form a band. Include professionals and pastors, fellow strugglers - gather up stragglers and strays. Check on somebody shuffling off to the side. We are all in this together. And, in the earth-departing words of John Wesley... The best of it all is, God is with us. Funny. That's exactly what Jesus' name means... Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Matthew 1:23) How about that? God. With us. Sympathetic resonance straight from heaven to stir up sacred music in our pain-passive souls. Just what a world limping toward redemption needs the most. Me, too. Selah.