For you Monica

                         

                        My good friend Monica is heading to Ireland in a couple weeks.  I am going to miss her more then words can describe.  She has been there for my daughter through the worst of times, and the best of times.  The saying that people enter into your world when you need them most is so true, as what happened here.  Maybe i’m writing this for myself, maybe i’m writing it so she knows how special she is, maybe i’m writing it so you guys can feel the power and love that I do from this amazing lady.

                        Monica goes to an all girls school.  The one my daughter has always dreamed of going to.  She volunteers to sooo many different groups, and does so many missions you’d be going “wow, how does she find the time”.  Its easy, she makes the time.  She also teaches kids to do the same.. not only to make them a more rounded individual, but for them to see that they need to be thankful for what they have.  She recently set up a webpage for her friends to follow her journies.. as I was checking it out today I realized something.  I am not the person I thought I was.  I thought I was kind and compassionate, but learned im really not.  I never step outside of my comfort zone with people.  I hold back and never fully give of myself.  Here is a quote that she lives her life by:

                        How will you lead?

                        “Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can make a difference. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”—Margaret Mead. This quote is my favorite because too often does one doubt their ability to step out of their comfort zone. Not often, do people use their full potential. Service is not to be done in high volume but rather service is to be done in quality. It only takes one person to truly impact a life.

                        Pretty profound isn’t it??  The difference between her and me, is she actually does this!  I don’t allow my mind to be transformed in situations.  I always thought I was fair, but I question that now.  Monica has taught me more then anyone in my life ever has.  She is so grounded, loving, accepting, and she is the epitimy of unconditional.  she accepts people faults and all.  I figured out today, I don’t.  I do judge people.. never thought I did before.

                        Here is another one of her writings:

                        Close your eyes and imagine what it would be like to live on the streets. What would you see? What would you feel? Sometimes this imagination becomes reality. That could have been any of us.

                           I knew that when I entered college, I would continue to respond to the call of service and leadership. I was not sure exactly how I would respond, but I was up for any given challenge.

                            I believe that one cannot be fully educated until she sees the world through many different lenses. Most of us have some kind of desire to step out of our comfort zones, but only a few respond. Something keeps humanity trapped: it could be selfishness, egoism, ignorance or a lack of knowledge. I want to challenge my peers to look past all stereotypes. Instead accept people and act out of love because everyone has a story.

                          So what exactly is poverty? There are many definitions. I believe that poverty is more than just lacking the basic necessities in life. To me, poverty is rooted from loneliness. Mother Teresa says: “The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for, is the greatest poverty.

                        Those words speak volumes of who Monica is.  And who most of us are not.  I deal with alot of scenerios for my personal work, maybe its made me jaded against humanity, or maybe I made myself that way.  Afterall, as I know, noone else can control my thoughts, only I can… and I’ve chosen to allow those moments to define what my view of the world and people are. We all must experience the bad to appreciate all the good.. but how many of us are actually doing that?  Do we sit and think negative or are we thankful for all the positives?  I know i’m not thankful enough for the positive.. I tend to dwell alot of the things that are wrong, instead of all the things that are right. She always says “keep the faith alive even when it is hard”.  How true a statement is that??!!

                        I just want her to know how much she means to me and my family.  She is what I call my 3am friend.. the one I can call at any time to help put my thoughts together.. the one who will always have my best interest at heart, and who will offer us guidance at a time we can’t figure it out.  I will tell you, I only have 3 or 4 of those type of friends.. the ones I can trully consider in that way. 

                                    Mon, I hope you have a fantastic time studying in Ireland.  We will miss you so  much, but as you said.. lets skype baby! lol.  When the time comes to say goodbye (for now) it will be full of selfish tears but also smiles knowing the journey you are on and the lives that you are going to change.  Noone who meets you is ever the same.. you have a sense of calming and trusting within yourself that noone can measure to.  The kids, especially the oldest, will miss their sister and friend but the lessons taught will be there.  You taught faith when none existed and helped show that bad things do in fact happen to good people.. and you taught her that you can rise above it all and be ok, AND be a better person.  I can never thank you enough for the way you opened her eyes to different things.  The shopping trip you two went on she will hold to her heart forever.  I can never thank you enough for the friendship you have shown me.  You are such a remarkable person and I thank you!  Have fun in Ireland… i’m sure our goodbyes will come friday at the cookout.. but we will see you as soon as you get back with flowers in hand at the airport!!!  We love you!!!