I wasn't looking for someone to tell me what to do.

I don't need someone to validate my perceptions.

I'm not in need of instruction.

I do not need someone to tell me if I've been good or bad.

I don't need someone who can interpret me to myself or to society.

I just needed someone nonjudgmental to talk to. Someone in whom I have no interest in pleasing, presenting myself well, no fear of being misinterpreted or gossiped about. No one with whom I have a relationship which might be negatively affected.

To my surprise, the VA has (limited) resources of support for primary family members, intended, I guess, in the long run to understand the patient more fully, embedded as he is in family relationships (or should be).

Therefore, talking to the psychology intern fulfilled both the above needs and gave her material for her graduate thesis as well. So everyone profits.

It was a blessing to be able to speak my mind without fear of reprisal, without judgment calls, without needing to justify myself or edit my comments.

It must be the kind of service the wise woman of the forest provided, also the shaman, the shenachie, the priest. The ones in society, but on its fringes, with no stake in the outcome except his/her client's well-being, which would in the long run enhance the weal of the tribe, clan, settlement, town.

I'm very grateful for the active listening I experienced today.