There is more to nakedness than the simple truth of being without clothing.  It requires trust and vulnerability, traits not always easy to come by.  This season of my life, dealing with my mom’s illness, has without a doubt at times left me raw, while also virtually piling on layers in the way of self preservation and protection.

Situations like these tend to bring out our worst or our best.  We’ve been dealing with both sides of the coin.  The best people leaving us feeling protected and safe in our vulnerable state, the worst piling on judgement and hurtfulness when we are at our most bare.

My poor mom has been left without her own shroud physically and in just about every other way.  Stripped of her health and her independence, she has had to lay herself open, to lose the security of her ordered world, to ask for help in ways she never dreamed of.

I’ve had friends thank me for being so open about what we’ve been going through as they go through similar circumstances, yet keep to themselves.  And that would usually be my own way.. to keep everything private, bottled up.  But to be naked is to also let others know that they have your trust, that they are needed, that you know that you can’t do it alone.

Since her diagnosis, there have been a lot of tears.  But there has also been meaningful conversation and deep laughter with those who’ve allowed us the freedom to be vulnerable and the security of knowing we are safe in our nakedness.

Featured paintings are by Daniel Catalano.  Please visit his website to see more of his work.

All images are via the artist’s website.