Sometimes even the toughest people need help...

I know a young person, who, on the outside, is the most confident, strident, intelligent and tough person. One who seems to never need any endearing, one who doesn't need to be complimented, one who doesn't ask for anything but honesty and respect.
And so, it is easy to overlook the moodiness in this young person, it is easy to miss the slight admissions of imperfection, it is easy to explain away the grumblings. Because when they happen, they are soooo fleeting. This young person doesn't harp on anything, good or bad. S/He doesn't complain, doesn't mind when I ask her/him to do one more task on top of his/her heavy work and school loads.S/ He doesn't even flinch when someone else asks him/her, don't you have time for another job.
This young person seems to have it all - and to need for nothing, in self-esteem, that is.
So how easy it is to get hung up on moulding, supporting and encouraging the young ones with less self-confidence, with less self-esteem, with fewer juggling abilities. And it is easy to forget that 'need' is something quite different than 'wants' or 'should haves'.
I recently looked this strong, stable young person in the eye, and I simply said "Thank you. Thank you for being a part of this. Thank you for all your efforts. Have I ever told you how much I appreciate you." And the look in those eyes, was something I don't think I've ever seen before. It may just have been a flash - of relief, or emotion, but I think it was more than a flash.
The hug I got in return, was stronger and more emotional. And I remembered then, oh yeah, being strong isn't always easy, and we don't always do it by choice. Sometimes our families's situations call on us to be so, or the world around us expects it. But that doesn't mean that we don't need that extra thank you, or that extra hug. Because sometimes, it just happens to be that extra little gesture, reminds that strong person, that even they can be emotional. That even they can need support.
And it reminds me that sometimes I need to focus on those who seem to have it all in check.