Power of Love

I know, I know I am an 80’s kid and I love it. Who knew that “Huey Lewis and the News” spoke so much wisdom? It is truly the power that makes the “world go ’round.”

Throughout this journey, the one thing that I have been offered consistently is love. Whether I wanted it or not, it was there. All I had to do was open my heart to it. It was palpable. It never expires. And once you have loved, it comes back to you, over and over again.

One of my biggest fans and inspirations are my dear childhood friends. 3 sisters and their Mom that lived on my quiet little cul-de-sac. These friends from a pre-pubescent time have offered me laughs, advice, and memories from a time when I was a little boy crazy and a little Strawberry shortcake fan. Although my childhood wasn’t perfect, these girls bring me back to a time of my first sleepovers and swimming parties. We ate junk food and broke rules together. And when you are sitting in a hospital bed clinging to life, to see their faces as you scroll through facebook, can bring a faint glimmer of happiness of a time gone by. Thank you for loving me.

Then of course there is the high school crowd. Girls that you were friends with, boys that you had crushes on, peers that you were so jealous of. We’re all “friends” now. I smile at your beautiful families, mourn your losses, rejoice your triumphs and realize that some of you had more pain growing up than I could ever imagine. I regret not getting to you know some of you better then. I am so grateful that I can call you my friend now. Many of you have supported me financially, emotionally, spiritually. I feel you supporting me, encouraging me and probably being a little freaked out that we are the same age. I remember a dear friend reminding me at the last reunion, “some of us will be dying soon.” I couldn’t imagine that it would almost be me. For those of you who haven’t completely set aside those bygones, do it. It is time to embrace the group of individuals that helped form who you are today. Forgive, even though you may not forget. You all have known me a long time! I’ve changed a lot. Thank you for loving me through it.

Hail Purdue! How can I be gone from you for almost 20 years? It may be cliche, but it really does just seem like yesterday. A group of us in a sisterhood formed out of necessity because we were away from home for the first time. Laughing until we peed ourselves or had a beverages come out our noses. Reeling me in on my 21st birthday by recording my drunken bathroom conversations; however, taking me out everyday of that week anyways. My fellow counselors, I must confess I was a lousy co-worker my senior year (you may remember I met that guy and had that fling that has lasted 19 years). I still dream about never going on “rounds” (not once that whole last semester). I watched you fall in love with your husbands. You watched me fall in love with mine. We were given too much responsibility for too little pay, but as long as I was with you all- I TOTALLY WOULD DO IT AGAIN. And my nursing school survivors- yes that’s what we were, survivors. Nursing school battled breastfeeding in it’s level of difficulty. Once again, totally worth it. We are all pretty darn good nurses. I am so thankful to have gone through that phase of life with you all. I am so grateful that you are with me now. You have also helped to form me into who I am today. Thank you for loving me.

Now my Bowling Green family; you may be my newest friends, but for sure you are some of my dearest. You’ve helped me survive motherhood (thus far), worked with me as I grew professionally, and most importantly, brought me back to Christ. You are the ones that I call late at night and cry to. You are the ones that come to my house with meals. You are the ones that mow my grass, watch my kids and make me feel like your family. My neighbor recently visited us here is Boston, we weeped tears of joy when we saw each other and weeped again as she departed. You have not replaced my family, but you are the family that I have chosen. You watch over us. Bowling Green loves me and that love has definitely brought me through some of my darkest times. Thank you.

Last but not least, my crazy family. I am proud to be related to each and every one of you. That says a lot. EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU. Thank you and here’s to better times ahead.

“Don’t need money. Don’t need fame. Don’t need no credit card to ride this train. It’s strong and it’s sudden. It can be cruel sometimes, but it might just save your life. That’s the power of love. “