Kerr 1

Jessie Kerr

Mrs. Cramer

College Comp Pd. 5A

18 September 2020

Empathy and Me

One of the most basic emotions a well-adjusted human being possesses is the ability to

empathize with others. It is a simple matter that most people are experienced in. Some may get

worked up over problems of others that they themselves cry. I, for most of my life, was not one

of these people. Do not get me wrong; I have a heart, but I have always felt guilty that I could

not relate to situations on a deeper level like some of my friends.

In my catechism class, I talked to a close friend of mine about some horrifying events

being broadcasted on the news. Her heart went out to the people involved. She told me it felt like

a whirlpool was slowly sinking her heart. Our conversation made me realize how much I do not

empathize with others. I understand what is happening and realize that it is gut-wrenching, but I

usually don’t feel much past the surface, until recently.

This past August, my cousin had just had a major argument with her father. That same

day, she and I were supposed to be leaving for a mini vacation together. We were both excited to

go. As the time flew by, I could sense something was wrong. When she finally got to my house,

about twenty minutes after the time we set to leave, she came in with her head down. Abnormal

stillness encompassed her. When she raised her head to address me, she couldn’t even get a word

out without upsetting herself. She was deeply hurt and raw in those few minutes. Her usual
 Kerr 2

strength disappeared amongst her tears. It physically hurt me to watch her fumble over her

words. It left me wanting to reach out and fix the issue for her.

Eventually, she calmed down, and we left for our mini vacation. Throughout the trip, she

revealed more about the argument. Each time she did, I felt myself getting anxious for her. After

three days, we came home, and she dropped me off at my house. Before she left, I told her that

she could talk to me, no matter when or for whatever matter. She thanked me.

After she left, I went inside and did the most cleaning I have ever done without being

asked. I swept and mopped the floor, did laundry, put away dishes, and reloaded the washer. An

hour passed. Defeatedly, I took a break to calm down. Only I did not calm at all, my chest felt

heavy. I went out to my mother. I wanted to discuss what I was feeling. I started telling her

everything that I felt for my cousin. Our conversation worked me up, and I began to cry. My

cousin is one of the strongest people I know, and I saw her in one of the most vulnerable places a

person could be at. It shook me down to my core. I sat and cried for three hours.

After experiencing empathy to this degree, I found myself feeling more mature. It may

sound odd; understand that my cousins grew up faster than I did, either because they were born

earlier, or because they experienced hardships that I had not. I always felt that they would never

choose to come to me in their time of need, since I was naïve to their situations. I always felt left

behind. Once I comprehended the extent of empathy I experienced on behalf of my cousin; it

gave me a sense of hope for myself. It made me feel like I caught up to my cousins in maturity.

This, in turn, gave me the courage to be more sociable and relatable towards everyone in my life.

Due to this experience, I found the confidence to let new people into my world.