Secrets

Hey,

So right now one of my friends is going through a bit of a rubbish time. I'll call her Elizabeth. So Elizabeth has this secret that she hasn't told anyone except me. I'm really glad that she feels like she can trust me and talk to me about her problems, but I'm quite an awkward person when someone is emotional. I want her to know I'll always be there for her and she can always talk to me but I don't know how to say that. Anyway, the secret isn't about her. She's done nothing at all to deserve to go through what she's going through. The secret is about her sister and it's making family life a mess. I get angry on Elizabeth's behalf just thinking about it! Her sister screwed up, and it's making everything messy.

Elizabeth and I are in a bigger group of friends so we don't get much 1 on 1 time. I have a sport on every day of the week and she lives a while away from my house so I can't really see her after school. Today she told me that things have gotten worse but she didn't elaborate (and I didn't push her). I feel like all I can do is be there for her, but that doesn't feel like enough. Elizabeth doesn't want sympathy, she just doesn't want to carry this alone (from what I can tell). Because she hasn't done anything wrong there's not much she can do except try her best to stay out of it (which doesn't really work). Her sister is making everyone in the house stressed and short-tempered and there's not much Elizabeth can do. I really wan't to help but I don't know how.

Elizabeth is one of those people who think they can get through it alone and not tell anyone. But that doesn't work. The pressure of the burden will eventually make you snap, and it will be a whole lot worse. When you bottle things up you'll eventually explode (been there). I don't want her to feel alone but I don't want to bug her to tell me everything if she doesn't want to. Nobody else in the friend group knows what's going on. Elizabeth doesn't complain, she doesn't want attention, she just puts on a brave face and sucks it up. She had been carrying this secret alone for about a month before she told me. I'm so glad she did but I need advice on how to help.

If you've been through something similar please let me know what you did. I'd love some advice. All I want to do is help her.

Have a lovely day.

Happy writing.

-Maggie