Category Archives: Friendship

Mar13

DAY 72 (2014) – Saying Goodbye

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Goodbyes are often hard, but when done for the right reason will give birth to something beautiful.

Goodbyes are often hard, but when done for the right reason will give birth to something beautiful.

Last day before I go back to South Florida and leave my baby brother in Buffalo. Can’t lie, I am nervous, a little scared, and really sad. We have not been separated in a while, and the family unit we have right now is very tight. So this feels like a part of my flesh is about to be cut off. This is an odd feeling for me, because I am not the personality type to miss things when they are gone. Sounds cold, doesn’t it? But it isn’t. I have always believed that life, things, and people are transient, and not permanent. Does that mean that I treat them carelessly? No, on the contrary it means that I treat them as though each day, each moment is the last I will be able to spend with them. So my goal always with friendships and life is to learn, grow, and respect the people and things that God has blessed me to encounter. Because of this attitude I don’t often feel sad at goodbyes. But this goodbye will hurt. To my brother (who reads my posts everyday…he’s my loyal fan 😉 ). I am praying for you. I know that you are where you are for a reason. I know that at this moment you may feel overwhelmed and maybe even scared. But don’t ever feel like those feeling make you a coward or weak. Understand that those feelings are the stepping stones to strength. I am very proud of you, and even though I may not show it, I will hate being apart from you for even a second. But I know that God will wrap His loving arms around you and keep you safe until we are reunited. Love you always. Your big sister, Lisa.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).

So what’s my plan of attack? Trust God to take care of the part of me that will be missing.

Mar4

DAY 63 (2014)

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The bars aren't meant to keep you out. No, sometimes they are saying...fight to get in. (Picture by Lisa R)

The bars aren’t meant to keep you out. No, sometimes they are saying…fight to get in.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Why are bad choices so much easier to make than right ones? I have a friend that I am seriously proud of right now. Why? Well she is going through some things (her story not gonna share) that would cause a lesser person (and in the past even herself) to make very bad decisions in order to resolve them. Having known this person for a little, and knowing her background, I would even understand why she’d make a bad choice. But here’s the cool thing, she hasn’t. She’s held her ground and even in the face of the most cruel mistreatment she’s managed to hold her head high and maintain who she is. This post is not about praising her, as much as it is about encouraging and taking the time to see the strength in another person. I (from experience) know how easy it is to make wrong decisions, they seem to just fall in our lap. But at the end of the day the havoc such choices make will usually leave us worse off, not better. We all at some point on our life journey will have to choose between making a easy wrong choice or a hard right one. One builds character, the other destroys it.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

So what’s my plan of attack? As much as depends on me, make right choices.

 

Feb11

DAY 42 (2014)

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Scale walls...break fences, be unstoppable. (Picture by Lisa R.)

Scale walls…break fences, be unstoppable.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

Today I had a friend who was a little down. I could tell immediately because, down is the opposite of her normal character. I asked what was wrong and she relayed her story (I will not be retelling it, it’s her story to tell). After listening to her it dawned on me that sometimes in life we can end up bearing the punishment for a crime we did not commit. As unfair as it is, it is par for the course. But all is not lost, instead of letting the unfairness of it all beat us down, we can use it as a stepping stone to rise above. Learn from unfairness (trust me when I say it’s doable), even in the suckiest of situations has a lesson that can be learned. Today I encouraged my friend to look at her situation find the wisdom, the lesson and let everything else go. Someone or something will always be there to try and knock us down. If we take the wisdom and leave everything else, we learn to dodge the knocks.

“An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge” (Proverbs 18:15).

So what’s my plan of attack? Find the lesson, gain the wisdom.

Feb10

DAY 41 (2014)

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We can't do it alone, we all need help on the journey. (Picture taken at House Of Hope, S. Korea)

We can’t do it alone, we all need help on the journey.
(Picture taken at House Of Hope, S. Korea)

Today was a rough day emotionally. I know in the medical field you shouldn’t have favorites, but I have to admit there are some patients that feel more like family. One “family” member is in the hospital right now. The orders are to discharge to hospice (which for me usually means, they won’t be going home again). her family, understandably so, is dodging the hospice nurse. They aren’t ready, she’s not ready, I am not ready for that matter. After a visit which ’bout broke my heart. I started to wonder why I do this, why did I chose to work in a place that brings some much loss? Loss that even when I pretend it is fine, never is. About an hour after my visit with that “family” member. Another member of the family came in. Two years ago, she had the same discharge orders (hospice). She had cancer everywhere…brain, spine, and breast. She had to walk with a walker, she could not stand on her own and at one point she had such bad mental impairment she couldn’t complete sentences. Today she drove herself to the office visit, she was joking about her children, and she is thankful everyday for every single breath she breaths. As I was talking to her, that still voice reminded me…That right there is why I do this. Because while there is pain in this job, there is also HOPE. Hope is why I do this…everyday we fight, we give someone who may not have otherwise had it…HOPE.

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12).

So what’s my plan of attack? Hold on to HOPE.

Jan17

DAY 17 (2014)

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Why blend in...when you can add the color? (Picture by Lisa R.)

Why blend in…when you can add the color?
(Picture by Lisa R.)

Do you have someone in your life that makes your world so interesting the thought of not seeing them makes you sad beyond belief? I have a friend that makes my day really happy. She is possibly the most interesting person I have ever met. Her mind works just a little bit different, her view of the world is a little bit more colorful than most. Because of her my view of the world has become a little bit more artistic. Today I had a moment to reflect on the things that I have been blessed to have, like my friend. I am thankful and grateful to and for her. Why? Without her around my world would be black and white. For those of you who see the world a little different here’s some advice: Go forth and color your world, it could use a little sprucing up.

“Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble” (Proverbs 17:17, The Message).

So what’s my plan of attack? Be a world “colorer” <—- (yes I know it’s not a word 😉 ). Happy coloring.

Dec29

DAY 363

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We are not meant to travel alone. (Picture by Lisa R.)

We are not meant to travel alone.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

I have someone I am worried about. This person is about to embark (well has already begun) on a mammoth journey. One that will forever change the landscape of this person’s life be it for better or for worse. I have a suspicion that my friend is nervous about the life choice, but has already opened the door and now does not know if she can close it (which I am fairly certain she can’t because she has sunk all her money into it). Why am I worried? I don’t believe she is prepared for what’s to come. When she looked in the her future she saw only the results and not the work involved to gain the future she envisions. I am fairly certain that she will fall (I wish with all my heart I wasn’t), and when she does I am scared that the impact will be so hard, she may not recover. My biggest fear is that she will blame God for her choices. I am not sure how this happens, but we (mankind) tend to leave God out of our decisions then blame Him when it doesn’t go the way we planned. Or we make a plan ask God to bless it , never asking if the decision is right, and again blame God when we find out it wasn’t right. Today as I pray about having a long talk with my friend. I am praying for God to give me words, I am praying for wisdom, and I am praying that I do only what He has called me to do (I like to share my opinions too freely). On this journey people we love will make decision that look good, but can be bad. Our job is to be there, love them through it and when necessary lovingly, and respectfully tell the TRUTH…ALWAYS (and be okay if they don’t accept it). We do this knowing that we will one day make the same kind of mistake and we’ll need them to reciprocate.

“Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses” (Proverbs 27: 5-6).

So what am I thankful for today? Honest friendship.

Dec26

DAY 360

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No matter where the road takes you. You CAN go home again. (Picture by Lisa R.)

No matter where the road takes you. You CAN go home again.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

I have been asleep all day today, which is highly unfortunate since I was at work. Falling asleep on the job is frowned upon, but I have to admit that on more than one occasion my head knocked my desk. I guess I am experiencing a holiday hangover (for the record there was no alcohol involved).  This Christmas was one of the best we have spent together. We laughed, and laughed, told stories just spending time as a family. However, this holiday season is bitter sweet as it will more than likely be the last one my brother spends in Florida. Why? He is moving to Buffalo in March. It’s the first time that we have separated (in a while), and it is my brother’s first time being away from his family and on his own. It’s odd because we all know this change is coming, but during this holiday season we have decided to live like March is a 100 years away. The goal to make the small amount of time that we have left together, COUNT. I am excited for him, and incredibly proud of him. But I am also a little sad, at the thought of him not being around. Change is like that though, even when it’s for the best, it leaves behind a little sting. I believe that sting is to remind you that you are a part of something, a part of a family. It reminds you that someone is thinking about you, someone loves and cares for you. But most important it reminds you that you will always have a home to come back to. I am not sure who said, “You can’t go home again”, but from where I stand, home is the ONLY place you can go back to.

“So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him” (Luke 15:20).

So what am I thankful for today? That home is home no matter how far we roam.

Dec21

Some Stories Just Need to be Shared:

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My friend Lena just posted this experience on her FB status. It was beautiful and humbling, and a TRUE picture of friendship and the irrelevance of status and wealth. People should be judged by who they are NOT what they have.

Thank you Lena this story truly blessed me:

2 homeless men came up to my sister and I outside of CVS one was crippled with a set of beautiful blue eyes and the other was fairly normal he held the hand of his friend to help him walk. He asked for change to get a snicker bar to share so I said, “I’ll buy it for you”. They weren’t allowed in the store because people seem to be annoyed by beggars. So I bought them snacks and brought them out to them. I was humbled by their friendship. They stuck with each other for the sake of love that they have for one another. Then they invited us to church tomorrow. I swear in that brief 10 minutes I learned so much. – Post by Lena N.

Dec7

DAY 341

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Whether we are walking into the sunset or traveling in the dark, the journey is better with a friend. We are not meant to travel alone. (Picture by Lisa R.)

Whether we are walking into the sunset or traveling in the dark, the journey is better with a friend. We are not meant to travel alone.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

Today we had a family day. Shopping, walking, laughing, just hanging out. It weird how although we are in close proximity we don’t spend a lot of “family time”. Everytime we do it is always the best day. With that being said, today was the BEST day EVER. We are not meant to journey alone (I have said this before). We need people around us to build us up when we crumble. People to remind us when to: Smile, laugh, cry, and stay the course. Pushing through on our own will lead to failure. I read a quote today that said, “No matter what accomplishments you make SOMEBODY HELPS you” (Wilma Rudolph). I have heard this said more times than I can count, “I am a self made…” Here’s some truth NO ONE is self made. First we did not create us (we’re not God). Second no matter what you have accomplished along the way, someone helped you do it (no matter how small the assistance). The moral of this diatribe? Cherish those around you, be thankful for them. The journey would be long and lonely if they weren’t there to travel it with you.

“Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy” (Proverbs 27:6).

So what am I thankful for today? Family fun.