Hidden Support

​             I was going through my Facebook the other day and saw that a girl I once knew in high school, was going on a multi-country trip. As I was scrolling through the comments, I noticed most of them were well wishes and requests to check in everyday. For whatever reason this really struck me, this outpouring of care and concern of so many people, including myself.
              This whole situation got me thinking. I genuinely felt concern and wished the best for this person. I found myself on the list of people who would quietly check Facebook every night to make sure that she posted, not wanting anything bad to befall her.
              Having these feelings is not odd, it is natural to care for others, but this was different. This was a person I knew 15 odd years ago and the only line of connection in that time was seeing occasional Facebook posts, to be read and moved on from, nothing personal. Yet the care and concern I felt for this person was at a level that was comparable to what I would feel for a dear close friend.
              This reflection made me realize that she was not the only person I felt this way about. There were many others, some well known, others only caught at a glance. The only common bond was that for some reason each of them had captured a part of me, had captivated a hidden part of my mind, that would subtly care about their welfare for the rest of my life.
              They are not top of mind, in fact, these people are hardly thought of, yet when you hear that they are doing well, you feel the bond and sense of relief, almost as though your mind could breathe a little easier.  When you hear of something bad or concerning about that person, the hidden bond surfaces to hum and shine bright, a beacon in the darkness should they ever need you.
              I didn’t know that I had this wonderful tapestry of hidden connections until recently and I am thrilled to have found it. It is beautiful, full of memories, and instills good feelings. All of these people have been receiving my hidden support since we met, though they don’t know it.
              It makes you wonder, who is your hidden support?