I admire the brave souls that wake up each day with a purpose. Sometimes that purpose is to change the world. Sometimes, it is just to make through the day without yelling at someone. Either way, the courage that comes with completing the day is admirable. And the ones that complete the day and touch other's along the way are simply treaures in this world.
I've met several people in my twenty seven years of life. I value the people I come in contact with. The contact could be brief. There are those who I met for a moment and their impact on me will last a lifetime. There are some that were in my life for a season and that season has come and gone. Yet, I will remember the mark they left on my life.
The first person outside of my family that I remember impacted me was an African American man that my father brought home to visit one afternoon. My father introduced him to me as his brother, and I will never forget the smile that was on this man's face. It was radiant, and in my child like mind, I truly believed that man was my father's brother. I must've been five or six at the time because my younger brother wasn't born yet. But the smile and the happiness that radiated from that man will never be forgotten.
My first grade teacher, Mrs. Debbie Jones, was a beautiful woman. Her parents owned a house beside ours on the lake, and I always felt a special connection with her. She was kind and made me feel important and cared for. I can't tell you exactly what it was that she did to make me love her so, but I did.
Mrs. Gwen was a lady that lived in a trailer behind mine when I first moved to Atmore, AL as a newlywed. I felt like I was living in the desert isolated from my friends and family. This woman took me in. She would stand on her front porch that faced my back porch and holler out in her true country fashion "Yoooohoooo, suppa's ready". I weighed more than I ever have in my life during my time in Atmore, but the presence of this woman in my life was worth every pound.
I had surgery not too long ago. As I was being prepped for surgery, the lady that was my nurse was sharing her love for her job and the opportunity God has given her to share His love. I didn't tell the woman I was a believer as well simply because I enjoyed hearing her share. I can't remember her name, but her face and her soft voice is ever present in my mind.
I met this man while traveling in ministry several years ago. We recently reconnected. He reminds me of the grumpy cat. He's not the most optimistic person ever. But he was a good friend to me in a time when I needed one. Even in his pessimistic moments, he finds beauty in the most precious of things. I would rather choose the word "realist" because in all honesty, he has a tremendously kind heart and I felt honored that I saw glimpses of it.
So many people I have met in passing. Seasons brought some to stay, but most of these people I will probably never see or talk to again. I think of how everyone has their own story. Some of the individual mentioned above, I do know their story and it isn't kind. Some, I will never know. The common denominator that they each have in common is they made a positive impact on my life. I think it takes great courage for people to wake up and face a new day. It takes real bravery to be a positive light in a world that seems to suck it out of you. So tonight, as I write this blog, I want to salute all you brave souls that are salt to a bland world. I salute you single mothers who struggle to pay the bills and keep the kids fed. You amaze me. I salute you individuals that have given up maybe your own dreams so that you can provide for your families. I salute you teachers who make an impact on the minds and the lives of our nations children. To the men who are present in their children’s lives. I salute you. To the people who wake up and are determined to face the new day with even an ounce of hope. You are special to me. You are courageous. I salute you brave souls.
