Not Giving Up on Someone

When I was in college, my boyfriend, Peter, majored in art, specializing in ceramics. In our senior year, during a robbery, he was hit on the head and suffered a massive concussion. When he began physical therapy, I wanted so badly to be his strength and inspiration. But he barely said hello to me when I joined him, or worse, would ignore me. I often left the session in tears. Honestly, I was ready to give up, until I passed by his studio and saw all the beautiful work he’d created. I arrived early to his next PT session, and set up four of my favorite pieces. When Peter was wheeled in, he smiled for the first time in a long time. He said, “Is this supposed to cheer me up?” It would’ve been so easy to give up. I knew he wasn’t angry with me, but it still hurt. I learned to try my best not to take things so personally when someone is in pain.