Life of a woman inspires positivity, kindness
Maybe it’s an overly romantic notion that’s outdated and completely too original for a technology-focused generation.
Maybe it takes entirely too long to arrive or doesn’t have the same effect it once had many years ago.
I remember when I was 6 years old and it was my responsibility to get the mail from the mailbox when the school bus dropped me off at the top of my street. Every single day, I wished for a letter addressed specifically to me.
I would imagine it came from a long-lost friend, someone I had never
met or at the time, Prince Eric from “The Little Mermaid,” –regardless
of the sender, the essential thoughtfulness that went into sending me a
letter meant the world to me.
And now, I don’t get so excited about mail anymore.
It’s usually the bill I’m late to pay, the bank statement reminding me
I’m consistently broke or an advertisement for something I definitely
can’t afford. And occasionally, my favorite magazine arrives and I feel
blessed by the post office gods…unless it’s saying my subscription has
ended.
Great.
However, there has been one letter throughout college I’ve depended on
and looked forward to. And the sender wasn’t a close relative or
someone who lives far away, but rather, the kindest woman I’ve ever met
in my entire life.
I met Emily two weeks into my freshman year at Appalachian. She was the
mother of my floor mate (now my most treasured friend), and greeted me
on her front porch, smiling and getting ready to plant flowers.
Wearing layers of clothes in the early weeks of September, sporting a
pink head wrap, and looking like she weighed as much as a paperclip
–she hugged me and forever welcomed me into her family, her home and
her address book.
Every month I’ve been in college, this woman, while continuing to
battle a 10-year fight with cancer, wrote me a letter. Sometimes they
were simple and just said “hello,” and others were hand-written letters
describing current thoughts or inspirational quotes.
When I lived in another state last summer, she even sent two letters to
my temporary address –giving me tips on how to survive in the Big Apple
and demanding I return home to the Carolinas. I may just lose my
Southern charm if I’m away too long.
Her letters were something I knew would grace my mailbox if nothing
else ever did, and I tried to write her back as often as I could.
Last Friday, Emily lost her decade-long struggle with cancer. She
passed away in the morning, with everyone who loved her by her side.
While her earthly-life ended almost a week ago, her feisty spirit will
live on…forever.
Some people aggressively affect our lives –they rush in and they rush
out, leaving us speechless and wondering why they changed us so
intensely. Some make a difference in this planet by tackling social
injustices and promoting their right to free speech.
But there are others, like Emily, who led by example. Who showed a side
of humanity and the undying endurance of a strong faith and will. Who
showed that old customs, like loving thy neighbor and writing a letter
here and there, maybe aren’t traditions to be broken. Who showed belief
in a higher good and the use of encouraging words, spoken to others and
yourself, can go a long way.
Who showed me above all other lessons, anything is possible.
I challenge everyone to lead by example in the way you live your life
and the way you approach every significant relationship in your life
–whether it be romantic, friendship, career, family, spiritually, and
of course, the relationship you have with yourself.
Emily fought as long as she did because she believed in herself and the
strength bestowed to her. She never complained and her faith never
faltered because she knew the morning sky would still shine, regardless
of where she saw her next sunrise.
At her visitation and funeral, in between selfish tears, I looked at
rows and lines of people, thanking this beautiful woman. So many
individuals came to support, admire and remember the life of someone
who gave more than she took, believed more than she doubted, and hoped
more than she worried.
I’ll miss her letters filling my mailbox every month, and I’ll miss the
way she signed her name or the funny tips of advice she gave.
However, in my heart of hearts, I know her suffering is over and she
can finally rest her relentless, warrior soul. Her letters will remain
in my scrapbook, on my refrigerator, in my memories and her life will
shine through her daughter, my brave best friend.
As we continue through days of ridiculous busy schedules, cluttered
minds, stressful times and woes we think we’ll never recover from -let
us be reminded by Emily’s words and help ourselves and improve our
lives by brightening the world of others.
“Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It’s what you do for others.” –Danny Thomas.
To donate to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Fund, click here .
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