Monday, August 24, 2009

Special fran

Today I found just how truly remarkable and kind people can be. It's a nice change to the cynical outlook i have had lately and makes me grateful for the people who do surround me. Until today, I had recently come to thinking that most people are selfish, self centered, and dull. Today I'm looking to see small things I really like about everyone around, rather than faults and flaws. Man it feels great.

I was able to catch up with a newer friend of mine. I met her last month during my time working for Allen and Company. It was a short, two week conference in which I was lucky enough to meet Karen. She is an elderly lady who I instantly felt comfortable and connected with. We had the chance to sit down and chat and were able to find many things we had in common. Once we got going it was hard for us to stop. She told me about her lifetime of managing diabetes, travel, and her relationship with her daughter. I reciprocated by explaining my troubles managing my 'betes, my fundraising for Spain, and relationship with my parents. Our interests and experiences seems to be very similar and it was clear we had both taken to the other very well.

Karen's last day working came before mine, and unfortunately I wasn't there to say goodbye. She had left her phone number and requested I call her for reasons unknown. A couple weeks passed and I became occupied with other things, travels, and simply forgot to call as her number became lost in my mess. Her number resurfaced last week and I felt I should call. Our game of 'phone tag' began. Once again, I was left it, and forgot.

Thankfully I remembered to call her back yesterday, missing her yet again. Luckily she called me back twenty minutes later. It was great I hadn't waited any longer because Karen was due back to California come Wednesday. We chatted for a few minutes and agreed to meet for tea today. Things seemed to get jumbled up and our plans fell through, leaving time for a meeting at the hair salon while she got her hair cut. We exchanged conversation about what we both had been doing since the conference, her seeming particularly interested in my progress for my trip to Spain, which was planned for next summer. I had told her long ago that I was paying my way and very excited about it. The conversation seemed to move away from my travels and on to other things when I noticed how time had gotten away from us yet again. I needed to leave in order to be on time for work. She asked me to wait a couple minutes, both of us seeming flustered. Succeeeding to write a check, she handed it to me. I honestly could not believe what this seemingly stranger was giving to me. I was overwhelmed with so many emotions it all came out as a big granny sob and hug to this generous woman.

Money is tight everywhere, as I'm sure everyone knows, and I was worried I wouldn't have enough for my trip. My mom is unemployed and wouldn't be able to help me even if I had asked her, resulting in my plan to go it alone. In this summer alone I had made about half of the amount it would cost to get myself to Spain, Karen gave me a huge boost that will help so much. I am now three quarters of the way there and confident in my goal. This lady whom I thought was great in the first place, showed me just how special and generous some people can be. There is nothing that I can do to show my gratitude towards her but to meet her request. All she asked was that I keep in touch. She said that was all she wanted in return and I hope I don't let her down.

To whomever reads this, I have one thing to say:
Just when you doubt people or things, they will surprise you. Also, don't take the smallest people for granted. Every person you meet should impact you in some shape or form. Learn from it. Embrace it.

-_-

No comments:

Post a Comment