Baggage

There isn’t a way to get through life without it

Collins English Dictionary defines emotional baggage as:

the feelings you have about your past and the things that have happened to you, which often have a negative effect on your behaviour and attitudes

I know that at 56, I have a full set of my own baggage. I try to keep it in check, but my past is my past, and it cannot be changed. Thus, I will carry it forever. It may weigh me down at times as any heavy load might. At this juncture, I know I can’t hope to meet anyone without baggage. We can seek out people who may have lighter loads to carry than others. The best we can hope for is simply finding someone who can help us “unpack” our bags and accept those parts of our past which may negatively impact our present because we all have emotional baggage.

I have found that many in my age group have a natural tendency to “unpack” when someone is willing to help. I listen to many stories from friends and even new acquaintances about very personal things.

I sat and listened to Rex unload a long story about a girlfriend from many years ago who had a son. She believed her son was limiting the progression of their relationship so she sent him to live with his father in another state. Rex tried to persuade her not to do this because he believed it would be…