I hear you, I see you

My roommate and I say that to each other often, ever since we saw the first episode of this current season of the TV show "Parenthood." This could be a mantra for my life right now.

You want a reason? Well, I'll try to explain it to you.

Maybe you've heard this: Things are never as they seem. This phrase is easily comparable to "I hear you and I see you." Acknowledging the opinions and the presence of mind of another person is admitting that whatever you see is not what the other person sees. For instance, I might see a defiant attitude in a 7th grade girl and my father sees a girl who does not know where she is going to live in two weeks or if her mom's boyfriend is really gone. True story. Unfortunately, this girl moved a few weeks ago, but the storyline is the same.

My dad had to point out the other side of the situation to me. He had to say, "Bridget. You know why she was doing that, right?"

In my wisdom, I replied, "Of course! She doesn't have a consistent authority figure in her life and she is fighting me."

His reply reminded me of how we describe God... tenderly shaking his head and saying, "Oh Bridget. Don't you know that there is a whole world out there that you cannot fathom? This little girl, who is entrusted to you for a short amount of time, is probably struggling with somethings at home that you'll never know about and it's your job to reach her where she is at."

This is the part where I should have said to her, "I hear you and I see you."

That is what the human being wants, isn't it? To be seen and heard. To be loved and remembered.

In the flimsy walls of the French classroom, I can only acknowledge my students' backgrounds and attempt to hear and see each one, but I am not superhuman. In the emotionally packed walls of my life, it's hard to see and hear everyone. Again, I am not superhuman. I have fallen into the rut of believing I knew the intent and motive behind every action that ever affected me... like this past week. It took a gentle reminder...ahem... well, depending on your definition of gentle... to get my attention and realize I had narrowed my vision to my "blood circle," meaning as far as my arms can reach.

So, new goal to add to the ever-growing list: "Hearing and seeing people."