Whisper Words of Wisdom

 I've been writing this blog post in my head for about three weeks now...what to write about, how to start it, who my audience is, and so on. Forgive me if the outcome is discombobulated and more of a purge than a post. 

Growing up, certain memories stick out to me more than others--like I'm sure they do for you.

• I remember my parents making my brothers and I paint the outside of the house--that was character building for the ages. 
• I remember being very little, riding in the car with my mother, and her telling me that I was going to start going to Rosie's instead of Doris's house where I would have to take a nap. 
• I remember my oldest brother's senior bonfire and standing at the top of the home side bleachers while crying and not knowing what I was going to do without my best friend. 
• I remember walking up to the hospital the afternoon Ali died and seeing all of my teammates in tears.
• I remember my mom coming to my side when I had to put down my sweet Reggie boy the day before my tonsils were removed at twenty-four.
• I remember the day Spanish just "clicked" for me after staring at a knife for about five minutes and finally remembering the word for it. 
• I remember the day I started this blog...sitting in the upstairs quiet space of the St. Edward's library...back when it had books in it. 
• I remember watching my mom hug my brother after we lost the coin flip to be in the football state playoffs. 
• I remember Mr. Amaya teasing me every morning in Raymondville about how he knew when I showed up to the gym because I always showed up early enough to set off the alarm. 
• I remember being on the road and having to make the most difficult call to my best friend Mary that our best friend LJ had passed away.
• I remember the past seven years running the pool in the summer and all of the kids that I have been able to watch grow up--swimmers and guards alike. 
• I remember the day my doctor sat me down and told me I was Bipolar I. 
• I remember the day my brother took me to buy my new (used) car. Right around this time of year actually...
• I remember tweeting every funny quote or word of wisdom Lady would give me on Sundays. I cherish these now as she grows older and is less and less witty.

I remember these things and so much more. 

When I am teaching kids to write, I will often draw shapes on the whiteboard and tell them that there has to be an imaginary string that ties the shapes together or it's just poor writing...so what is the string in this post? In everything I remember, there is always someone there who is in my support circle, who cares for me, whose love never sways--in the highs or the lows. 

Some people in my circle have known me for years; some people in my circle know me intimately; some people in my circle come and go; but what I know of all people in my circle is that they love me for me, and what a blessing. 

This fall I have decided to do something new to reconnect with some of my people. I had never been to a college football game until this fall (private school problems). So, I decided that I was going to see as many games as I could with as many of my people as I could. I am right in the middle of this endeavor and it has been so fun. Each week (give or take) I get to experience a new crowd, a new game, with my people. 

I want to give back to you, my people, as much as you have given to me--though I know that will never happen, I can still try, right?

I will be the first to admit that I do a very poor job of texting or calling and an even worse job of answering said messages or calls. So, if you would like to hear from me, I would LOVE to catch you up. Drop me a message with your address and I will write you a letter. How about that? Snail mail style--messy handwriting and all. 

Let it be.

LAW