We Are All Human, and We Are All Vulnerable

# We Are All Human, and We Are All Vulnerable

I recently attended a funeral for someone who was always very kind to me. We only crossed paths for a few months, but he made a lasting impression. I wanted to see his mom and tell her how sorry I was—so she would know that her son made other people feel seen and appreciated.

I’ve always felt it’s important to attend visitations when you can. It’s a way of showing a family that their loved one mattered, that their life touched others, and that kindness continues beyond their presence.

When I go to something like this, I don’t feel hesitant about who I might see or how interactions might unfold. At this visitation, I knew I might run into someone I had dated and his new girlfriend, along with others in that social circle. But in moments like these, those concerns feel small. What matters is showing up—for the family, and for the people who need to feel that their loved one was cared for.

One thing I noticed while I was there is how, in spaces like this, we are reminded of something simple but powerful: we are all human. We are all carrying something. We are all, in our own ways, vulnerable.

In those moments, I don’t assume that people question my intentions or look for ulterior motives behind a kind word or gesture. I choose to believe that kindness can be received as it is—genuine, human, and needed.

For me, it’s important to recognize the humanity in others. Sometimes that looks like offering a kind word. Sometimes it’s simply being present. Sometimes it’s allowing someone to feel seen without needing to say much at all.

We all need reminders that we are not alone.

And often, the simplest acts of empathy are the ones that stay with us the longest.

And sometimes, showing up for others is also a quiet way of coming back to yourself.