“Hi friend, how are you doing today? Thinking of you and sending love your way.”
I press send on the text, then click my phone screen off. I know better than to expect an immediate response from friends who hide away when they’re struggling.
My friend deals with depression and anxiety, and I know that this is a challenging time for her. I also know that when things get tough she tends to go dark.
Still I send the message and the love anyway. I pray that it can help her to defy the voices that tell her that she’s a bad friend, that she’s just bringing everybody down, that nobody cares.
Sure, sometimes her virtual disappearances get frustrating, but I know that that’s because I do the same.