Friendship.
I have always been a social butterfly. I've always had friends. I am the type of gal, that once we are introduced, we are friends. That's how I roll.
My first friend ever was Tabitha. We met on the school bus because we lived on the same road. I would be one the bus first, then her. We where in the same grade, so we quickly became friends. In fact, by first grade, I was calling her my cousin because my little brain didn't know any word stronger for our friendship than associating her as family.
As we got a little older, she moved to Andrews to live with her aunt and we didn't ride the same bus anymore. We still saw each other at school a lot though, so it wasn't a total loss.
I had tons of friends through school. I went to a bunch of churches. I did a few after school activities. I made friends with the kids in my trailer park. (Yes, I know. I'm that kind of country redneck girl.) I won't most of my days outside climbing trees and rough housing with all the boys. I had an imagination like you wouldn't believe and loved running around and being silly.
I was also that friend who was there for everyone. Need a hug, I'm your girl. Sick? I'll bring you soup and crackers, hold your hand and watch whatever movies you want. Having a party, I'll help you plan, decorate and clean up. Birthday coming up? I got you! I plan and throw parties, and my favorites are the surprise parties ! Moving, let me help. Depressed? I'll help clean your house and talk if you need it.
I'm always the one there to help. Most of the people I've called friend through the years have disappeared, leaving me with the knowledge that not everyone you call friend is actually that, and that most of them were merely associates. When I was going through a super hard time, it showed me who was real. When we couldn't give money or help out like we used too, it showed us who people truly are.
I once read something along the lines of "not everyone has the same heart or intentions as you." And it's very true. But you know what, even if those people were to call me today, I'd still go help them because that's the type of person I am. I am a friend, and I will always help when I can. It's in my nature.
This week have been rough on me physically. I've been sick feeling, and thinking it was a virus, I went to the doctor. Well, two doctors over two days, various testing, blood work, urinalysis, CT scan and we still aren't sure what's wrong. I have another appointment tomorrow, so maybe I will have some idea, but this post isn't about that. It's about this: in all the years that I have been there for others, only two have been there for me like I have been for everyone else. I married one of them. That is, until today. Well, since March.
Ryan, among other missionaries, have been there for me. One night I was having a terrible night at work. I spent my last $3 buying me fries from McDonald's for them to end up on the floorboard of my car. 20 minutes later, Ryan and Trent show up at my job with fresh fries for me. Over the months, they have surprised me with food, slushies (thanks Elder Dowell!) and ice cream varieties. Ryan, Kevin and Corey (a member of the church whom I've met all of one time at this point) came out to change my flat tire for me at work, and then came back again to inflate my spare when I realized it, too, was flat. And today, Ryan and Jeremy P. did the simplest but most amazing thing that touched my soul, they brought me soup and cooked it for me.
Never in my life have I had anyone, other than my husband or Tabitha do something so small, yet so profound, for me. I'm used to helping everyone else, running around at 1 am to help get money so a mother can get her infant formula because he is hungry. Going to jump someone's car because their battery died. Feeding everyone in my apartment building because I made way too much and we are all struggling. But these guys, these amazing and wonderful guys, are doing small things for me, and it feels wonderful.
I still feel a little guilty, like I'm using them. After talking with a new and amazing friend Jesse, she knows what I am going through with this. She said that it is important to let others help and serve me too. That everyone deserves it.
I also had the guys do a priesthood blessing of healing while they were here and during his prayer, Elder Jeremy Petersen said "...Heavenly Father wants you to know that it's okay to rest and be taken care of..." Not knowing the conversation I had with Jesse. It goes hand in hand, I think. It was a wonderful confirmation that I'm not being selfish or a bother to anyone to ask for help when I need it.
And it's nice to know that I have true friends, and not wol mkves in disguise. It's an amazing feeling to know people actually care. I love all my Mormon missionary friends, and I'm thankful every day for them. I am blessed beyond words to have my Tabby and Jeremy in my life, as well as my super cuddly cats who know I don't feel well and have been extra loving. (And not just to me, but to each other as well.)
I'll leave with this, Boyd K. Packer once said, "Be a friend and you will have a friend."
My first friend ever was Tabitha. We met on the school bus because we lived on the same road. I would be one the bus first, then her. We where in the same grade, so we quickly became friends. In fact, by first grade, I was calling her my cousin because my little brain didn't know any word stronger for our friendship than associating her as family.
As we got a little older, she moved to Andrews to live with her aunt and we didn't ride the same bus anymore. We still saw each other at school a lot though, so it wasn't a total loss.
I had tons of friends through school. I went to a bunch of churches. I did a few after school activities. I made friends with the kids in my trailer park. (Yes, I know. I'm that kind of country redneck girl.) I won't most of my days outside climbing trees and rough housing with all the boys. I had an imagination like you wouldn't believe and loved running around and being silly.
I was also that friend who was there for everyone. Need a hug, I'm your girl. Sick? I'll bring you soup and crackers, hold your hand and watch whatever movies you want. Having a party, I'll help you plan, decorate and clean up. Birthday coming up? I got you! I plan and throw parties, and my favorites are the surprise parties ! Moving, let me help. Depressed? I'll help clean your house and talk if you need it.
I'm always the one there to help. Most of the people I've called friend through the years have disappeared, leaving me with the knowledge that not everyone you call friend is actually that, and that most of them were merely associates. When I was going through a super hard time, it showed me who was real. When we couldn't give money or help out like we used too, it showed us who people truly are.
I once read something along the lines of "not everyone has the same heart or intentions as you." And it's very true. But you know what, even if those people were to call me today, I'd still go help them because that's the type of person I am. I am a friend, and I will always help when I can. It's in my nature.
This week have been rough on me physically. I've been sick feeling, and thinking it was a virus, I went to the doctor. Well, two doctors over two days, various testing, blood work, urinalysis, CT scan and we still aren't sure what's wrong. I have another appointment tomorrow, so maybe I will have some idea, but this post isn't about that. It's about this: in all the years that I have been there for others, only two have been there for me like I have been for everyone else. I married one of them. That is, until today. Well, since March.
Ryan, among other missionaries, have been there for me. One night I was having a terrible night at work. I spent my last $3 buying me fries from McDonald's for them to end up on the floorboard of my car. 20 minutes later, Ryan and Trent show up at my job with fresh fries for me. Over the months, they have surprised me with food, slushies (thanks Elder Dowell!) and ice cream varieties. Ryan, Kevin and Corey (a member of the church whom I've met all of one time at this point) came out to change my flat tire for me at work, and then came back again to inflate my spare when I realized it, too, was flat. And today, Ryan and Jeremy P. did the simplest but most amazing thing that touched my soul, they brought me soup and cooked it for me.
Never in my life have I had anyone, other than my husband or Tabitha do something so small, yet so profound, for me. I'm used to helping everyone else, running around at 1 am to help get money so a mother can get her infant formula because he is hungry. Going to jump someone's car because their battery died. Feeding everyone in my apartment building because I made way too much and we are all struggling. But these guys, these amazing and wonderful guys, are doing small things for me, and it feels wonderful.
I still feel a little guilty, like I'm using them. After talking with a new and amazing friend Jesse, she knows what I am going through with this. She said that it is important to let others help and serve me too. That everyone deserves it.
I also had the guys do a priesthood blessing of healing while they were here and during his prayer, Elder Jeremy Petersen said "...Heavenly Father wants you to know that it's okay to rest and be taken care of..." Not knowing the conversation I had with Jesse. It goes hand in hand, I think. It was a wonderful confirmation that I'm not being selfish or a bother to anyone to ask for help when I need it.
And it's nice to know that I have true friends, and not wol mkves in disguise. It's an amazing feeling to know people actually care. I love all my Mormon missionary friends, and I'm thankful every day for them. I am blessed beyond words to have my Tabby and Jeremy in my life, as well as my super cuddly cats who know I don't feel well and have been extra loving. (And not just to me, but to each other as well.)
I'll leave with this, Boyd K. Packer once said, "Be a friend and you will have a friend."
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