The Confession Booth

I'm not religious. I haven't been inside a church since my grandmother's funeral. But last week, I walked into St. Mary's and sat in the confession booth.\n\nI needed to say something out loud to another human being.\n\nThe priest waited.\n\n"Father, I don't know if I believe in God. But I don't know who else to talk to."\n\n"Tell me what's on your heart."\n\nI told him about my failing marriage, the miscarriage I never grieved, the career I sacrificed, the loneliness.\n\nI talked for forty-five minutes. He didn't interrupt or judge.\n\n"It sounds like you've been carrying a heavy burden."\n\n"Yes."\n\n"Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is ask for help. You don't have to go through this alone."\n\nI left feeling lighter. My problems weren't solved. But I had said them out loud, and the world hadn't ended.\n\nSometimes all we need is someone to listen.