Everybody's (Not) Fine

Just as the movie "Everybody's Fine" revealed, a stock answer to "protect" others doesn't work when deep emotions, history and relationships are involved.  When we deliver the often expected "Everybody's Fine" answer to the query "How are you, and how is____?", we potentially fall victim to misleading others (and devaluing our position) as we relay the responses.   When we can honestly answer, "I am fine! and "He/she is fine!", we can expect acceptance and support.  Only when we answer honestly, to trusted parties, that "everything's not fine", can we open the door for caring confidantes to help us deal with our reality and challenges.