She scrolled through her feed, surrounded by messages but feeling unseen.
Loneliness had crept in quietly, even in a world buzzing with connection. Life hadn’t given her a choice in what she was facing, but she realized she could choose who she faced it with.
Fighters have a corner; she needed one too.
She reached out—to a friend from her sorority, a mom from her kid’s class. They weren’t perfect. Conversations were awkward at first. But slowly, honesty grew. They showed up. They listened. They prayed.
A support system isn’t built in crisis—it’s built before, on shared ground. Yes, it’s risky. You might get hurt. But “to hurt is to steal” only when you let it keep you hidden.
She stepped into the light. And there, she found fellowship—not weakness. Just real, messy love from people who chose to go through life with her.
Afterword: We all need a support system—a circle of trust-worthy friends who can see us through the seasons of life.
This piece of prosery (prose story), limited to 144 words by Li over at d’Verse, is based on the line “to hurt is to steal” by U2, from “Mysterious Ways”.
2025 All Rights Reserved
Image by Pexels
Like what you see? To never miss a post click HERE👈 to subscribe & follow the blog. There’s more HERE👈 and on Spillwords, the Writers Club, Facebook & Bluesky.
In creative solidarity, Dee
Poems & More 
This is so beautiful, Dawn. Your standout sentence is well-chosen and written. I’m so grateful for my “sisters.” 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me TOOOOO!!! I have a very small circle but boy (I mean girl🙂) do they encircle me in safety. It makes my heart happy for your sister circle. Yes gratitude is a must!!! Happy weekend Michele 💕🙏🏽💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
🦋💗🦋💗🦋💗🦋 Get to see some sisters tonight, incl a longtime friend who’s in town. 💃🏼🙌🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
LikeLiked by 1 person
💕💕💕💕💖💖💖💖💕💕💕💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dawn, your teaching story, giving concrete examples, is appreciated. We need positive support systems more than ever.
But “to hurt is to steal” only when you let it keep you hidden.
So true, it is the secrecy that gives that one who harms power to steal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to know Li. Appreciate your feedback!! Happy Friday!!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 Happy Friday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙏🏽🌺🙏🏽
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very valid point made my friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks dear Sadje!!! Happy Friday!!!
LikeLike
Same to you too dear friend
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
LikeLiked by 1 person
“from people who chose to go through life with her.”
The best kind of people.❤️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Absolutely. Our ride-n-die friends!!!
LikeLike