Wind in the Cliffs of Dover

Wind in the Cliffs of Dover
Marvel Comics backpack, trench coat, blue scarf. A lovely windy day on the cliffs of Dover.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Life, Death, and Everything in Between.

I have a date! With a boy? Sadly, no. With an older man! Yes, with a wise and experienced surgeon from the University of Washington! (ooh-la-la!) But, we'll get to that later. I've got a lot on my mind for this one. =P 
Leaving home for home.
It feels like forever since I left Walla Walla, but it's only been two weeks! And, lucky me I get to go back on Tuesday (that's not sarcasm (really!)). I would say these past few weeks have been very successful. I've had a lot to think about and I've had a lot of time to do it. Some things have been much easier than others to grasp. But, the best part is that these weeks have been full of people shaped surprises: friends! I've had the chance to get together with old friends who I haven't seen in months, years, and what seems to be an eternity. 


MONTHS:
Yes, I was sad. Graduations...
Darcy came to visit me! Though we've had our differences, we really do love each other and I know we'll be friends forever, because I made her a bracelet. 
bracelet making/giving = lasting friendship
(It's a theory of mine and all grade school girls)
She brought me the gift of Harry Potter books to read while I'm in bed recovering! Harry Potter was evil when I was growing up, so I never got to read them. Now is the time! Thank you Darcy Sturges AND impending surgery that will finally give me the time to read these books and obtain that missing part of my childhood!


Jamie holding mustache man from poem.
Jamie: Hehe, Jamie and I used to do shows together. When I visit home we always meet up for coffee and some crazy fun shenanigans commence. This time it was a poem. Go ahead, interpret it. I'm sure it has various unintentional meanings! =) lol
A Poem told to Jamie
      by girl at starbucks 
from a distance I see my love in
the trees of apathy.
a 'v' for virtue covers her soul 
just as a mustache covers 
your face.
though, no crumbs 
ever encounter 
this veil. 


*you must snap your fingers as you recite this  poem. Thank you.

YEARS:
There are many people I haven't seen for years, but the past couple of weeks I got to hang out with Laura, Dina, and Chelsea! Dina I hadn't seen since high school graduation in 2008! I was lucky enough to spend my Superbowl Sunday with her, not watching the Superbowl. 
Chelsea and Laura were friends I had from Junior high and my freshman year of high school! It was good to talk about the old days. Remembering our classes together and our group of friends... 
This brings us to Neil. Neil was the sweetest boy I've ever known. We met beginning of Freshman year and all became good friends. But, sophomore year I transferred schools and never went back to visit like I promised. It breaks my heart.
Neil died last month in Afghanistan. I can't believe it. That chubby little freshman I used to be so close to turned into a gorgeous young man who I never got to meet.  Science class with Chelsea, Laura, and Neil are some of the best memories I have from that year. Here's a slideshow his brother put together, and a link to a news article. It's the least I can do now. 
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/01/30/2005729/tacoma-soldier-made-people-feel.html#.TyhI2MbGdg8.facebook 


We forget about our friends sometimes. sometimes for what seems to be an eternity. It was so good to see these girls, but there were so many more people I would've liked to see. sometimes people are just too far away. sometimes it's too late to rekindle a friendship. When I found out of Neil's death I ran to find my old year book. I found his note he wrote me about not forgetting to keep in touch, talking about hanging out that summer, and giving me his phone number. That's the last time I ever saw him. Whatever happened to that old saying...
Make new friends, but keep the old.
One is silver, the other is gold. 
?
Neil's death really had me thinking
When we care about someone we never mean to not keep in touch. It just happens. Life just happens and if we're lucky we bump into them years later and think, 'wow, I used to love that person'.
We are so young and we haven't lived at all. 
I'm at peace with where I am. I have loved and been loved. I have given my all to the things that I've been passionate about and the return has been great. I've made so many memories, so many friendships, I've lived my life. But, I know there is much more I can give. There is a life out there waiting for me!


Suddenly death is on my mind
I don't plan on dying anytime soon, but if I've learned anything these past few weeks, this past year, is that life is fragile. 
We are young, we fight, we die. We  live, we grow old, we die. It's inevitable. I helped an old man out this week on my way to my eye doctor. He fell on the pavement and hit his face pretty hard. Needless to say there was lots of blood. I called 911, stole some napkins from some truck, and helped apply pressure to hold together his forehead. Luckily an MA was walking by and he had a towel in his car to help stop the bleeding. Once the ambulance came and the paramedics were in control my stomach started to kick in. The reality of the situation hit me and I had to leave. That poor man. What if I hadn't been there to help him? To hold him together and stop the bleeding?


I think that's our purpose in life: to be there for one another. Not only for the new, but also for the old. Family, old friends, new friends, acquaintances, complete strangers: we're here to stop their bleeding. Physical, emotional, spiritual.. I don't know what it is, but I know if we can help we have to. How else are we to survive?  


That be my doctor. In case you
wanted to know what he looks like
=P
My surgery is March 5th with Dr. Byrd: Chief of the Surgical Oncology Department at the University of Washington. 
He is the best at what he does and that's why I have to wait a bit longer than was expected. That's fine, right now I'm in no rush. Even if my surgery is during dead week... yeah... But, this rest was just what my body needed. The pain has soothed a bit, I've been able to eat more types of food, I've slept (thank you, Jesus!), and I can breathe again (THANK YOU, JESUS!!!). :D 


For some reason, I feel like things are coming together. I don't know if much has actually changed, but my attitude on life has. It seems more like a gift. The things, the people, the places we take for granted are probably some of the best things we have. I miss school... Never thought I'd say that. I miss my routine, my jukebox and record player, and most of all I miss my friends. I always will. 


Friends: whenever and wherever we were together, know that you made a difference in my life and I love you for it. I don't know when, or if, we will ever see each other again, but remember that it's been great, that we are blessed, and that our friendship will only last if we make each other bracelets. =P
Sunset Lake with the girls
I love this photo because it looks like Robert is going to kill us

Jo, some Drama Queen, and Steve
My family
My Loves

Best Friends Forever