The kindest thing you can do for someone you love is listen

The kindest thing you can do for someone you love is listen to them.
Listen to them while they walk you through every minute of their day but listen to them harder when they pause and leave their story incomplete.
Listen to them while they rant about something they didn’t like but listen to them harder when they stop midway to say “never mind” instead.
Listen to them while they talk about their dreams but listen to them harder when you catch them fighting a war in their sleep.
Listen to them while they share their childhood stories but listen to them harder when they talk about a place they don’t visit anymore.
Listen to them while they laugh about their insecurities but listen to them harder when they question themselves before the mirror the next day.
Listen to them when they tell you they love you but listen to them harder when they barely even like you. Listen to them when they speak to you but listen to them harder when they don’t.
Listen to their voice, but respond to their silence.