Week 12: Meaningful People

This is a tough topic for me, because I feel like I've talked about the meaningful people in my life multiple times on the blog, and I hate for you all to get bored reading about them!  You can read about the first round of the blog challenge here.  You can read a little bit more here.  Finally, you can read even more about them here.

You'll probably notice a common thread.  Each of the posts refers to the same two people in some way, shape, or form.  And you can probably guess that I'm going to write about those same two people now.  That's how meaningful they are to me.

(I apologize if I repeat any information!)

E and MJ.  Amazing women that I have walking the path of life with me.  I used to see MJ every week, then every other week, and now, usually, our visits are only once a month.  That doesn't mean we don't email as needed between visits as she makes sure I'm working toward nutritional balance.  Cause we do.  Sometimes, well...... sometimes I email a lot.  But MJ is ok with that.  She knows what I need to hear.  She knows when I need reassurance, or just a little reminder.  She knows when I need an extra hug, and when a high five will do.  She's six feet of awesomeness and she is one of the two people in this world who knows some of my darkest secrets, yet, still thinks I'm an ok person.

E.  How can I describe E?  I don't know.  Role model wouldn't cut it.  She's more than that.  Mentor?  Guide?  All of the above?  I don't know.  This woman listens to me endlessly banter on, and somehow, finds a way to make sense of it all.  That's when my work begins, cause while E might be able to make sense of the messiness in my world, I'm the one that has to clean it up.  E will hold the flashlight for me, to make the task a little less painful, but I have to walk through the mess, where a life that is a little more peaceful waits, and so does E.  Always.

Week 12: Meaningful People

There's been quite a lapse between week 11 and week 12 because I really didn't know who to write about, nor how to write about them in a way that would adhere to the anonymity of the blog-o-sphere.

A picture from one of our adventures, taken July 2010

Family aside, there are a few people that I can't imagine my life without.  My friend JC is one of those people.  JC and I met almost ten years ago, but I feel like I've known her my whole life.  JC taught me what true friendship is like, and our friendship means the world to me.  We both lead very separate and busy lives, but when we get together, it's as if no time has passed.  I'd drop anything on a moments notice to be there for her if she needed, and she's done the same for me.  JC makes my life a lot fuller, a lot brighter, and fills it with a lot more love. 

I've always wanted a big sister, and throughout life, I've met a few people who played that role nicely.  However, I've never met anyone like MJ before.  I may only privy to bits and pieces of her life, but from what she's shared, she has shown me that there is so much possibility in the world, that there is no reason to ever give up hope.  MJ has walked parts of my path, she's faced some of my biggest fears.  She is proof that life can begin at any age.  If it happened for her, it can happen for me.  If she lived through it, so too can I.  MJ may not be my big sister, (and no amount of wishing will change that,) but I am so grateful that she's guiding me on this leg of life adventures.  She gives me hope that I can one day find the same happiness that she worked to find and now enjoys.

Last, but far from least, is E.  I feel like I've been on a tumultuous life voyage that I didn't intend to sign up for.  I've gotten support for these life "adventures" from many along the way (professionals included,) but I've never, ever, ever, encountered anything like the support I get from E.  It's actually been unsettling for me to have someone who is unwaveringly there for me.  I'm no picnic to work with, (as many people have told me,) but E is different.  Doesn't matter what I bring to the table.  When we meet, E is always calm and steady and caring and clear and patient and is somehow able to help me get what I need, whether I'm willing to face it or not.  I don't quite know how to explain it, but somehow, as long as I have E in my corner, I know that I'll be able to make it through anything life throws at me.

I can count the number of special people in my life on only two hands (those mentioned here, along with JC, MJ, and E, as well as EH, L.)  It goes to show that strength doesn't necessarily come numbers.  Sometimes all it takes is a special few to make more difference than a room full of people.

"Most of us, swimming against the tides of trouble the world 

knows nothing about, need only a bit of praise or encouragement 

and we will make the goal." -- Jerome Fleishman