I plays Joe's best friend. I am the only one he has ever been

"I plays Joe's best friend. I am the only one he has ever been able to trust in his life, so I help him understand what happened to him when he was younger." These words, spoken by Michelle Trachtenberg, speak to the profound and sacred nature of trust and the immense responsibility that comes with being a confidant in another's life. In this passage, Trachtenberg conveys the timeless truth that trust is one of the deepest bonds two people can share. It is through trust that healing can begin, and it is through the trust of a true friend that one may finally confront the shadows of the past. The relationship described is one of sacred friendship, where one person becomes a lighthouse in the storm, guiding the other through the dark, painful waters of their history.

The notion of trust in friendship stretches back to the ancient world. Achilles and Patroclus, two warriors bound by the deepest friendship, understood this sacred bond. When Patroclus was slain in battle, Achilles’ grief was not just for the loss of a friend, but for the betrayal of a trust that had been placed in him. Their relationship, though often romanticized in history, was also built on the foundation of trust. In their time of war, when the world was filled with violence, their friendship was the quiet refuge that allowed them to be vulnerable, to share their deepest fears, and to face the world together. Just as Achilles trusted Patroclus to stand by him, so too does the person in Michelle’s quote trust their friend to help them uncover the truth of their past.

The friendship described in the quote is more than just an alliance; it is an act of selflessness. To be the one trusted with the secrets and the pain of another person is a profound responsibility. This is evident in the lives of figures like Socrates and his devoted follower Plato, who shared a friendship rooted in trust and mutual respect. Socrates, ever the seeker of truth, used his dialogue to help Plato—and others—uncover the truth within themselves, teaching them to face their own ignorance with courage. Just as Plato trusted Socrates to guide him, so too does the friend in Michelle’s words trust that, by sharing the painful pieces of their past, they will find understanding and, ultimately, healing.

Consider also the biblical story of David and Jonathan, where two souls are bound by the unbreakable strength of trust. Jonathan, the son of King Saul, was the one person David could trust, even when betrayal loomed from all sides. Jonathan’s unwavering loyalty and friendship allowed David to navigate the treacherous waters of court politics. David, in his darkest moments, trusted Jonathan to offer him the truth and to help him understand his own journey. Theirs was a friendship that stood the test of time, grounded in the knowledge that trust was not something given lightly, but earned and cherished. The lesson here is clear: true friendship is not built on convenience, but on the depth of understanding and trust.

To be a friend who carries another’s burden is not an easy task. The best friend, as described by Michelle, becomes the pillar upon which the other leans. The one who listens, who helps, who does not turn away when the darkness of the past threatens to overwhelm. This kind of friendship requires both strength and vulnerability, for it is only through mutual vulnerability that real trust can flourish. When we open ourselves to others, when we offer them our unwavering trust, we allow them to see the parts of us that we may not even fully understand. This mutual sharing of experiences and emotions can lead to profound healing and transformation, as the friend is not just a listener, but a guide on the path to self-discovery.

The lesson of Michelle Trachtenberg’s words is not merely about being a good friend—it is about being trustworthy, and understanding the weight of that trust. In our own lives, we should strive to be that best friend, the one who is there when others need to confront their past, their fears, or their pain. True friendship is not about walking beside someone during their moments of joy alone; it is about being their steadfast companion during their darkest hours. The strength of a friendship lies in the ability to hold space for someone else’s truth, without judgment, without fear, and without hesitation.

So, as we reflect on these words, let us commit to becoming that person in someone else’s life—someone who can be trusted, who can offer understanding, and who can help others confront their pasts with courage and compassion. Let us also remember that to offer trust is not to expect perfection, but to acknowledge the shared humanity in us all. We all have moments of darkness, moments where we need someone to help us understand, to help us see the truth. And when we give that trust to another, we not only help them heal, but we also grow in the process, becoming more compassionate, more understanding, and more capable of offering the healing that the world so desperately needs.