Monday, March 6, 2017

“A Day Without A Friend Is Like A Pot Without A Single Drop Of Honey Left Inside.’’…by Jim Terry

Spring is just around the corner!  Thanks goodness…right?  I know most of the nation has had a “terrible winter” and I think, for most of us, the breathe of spring will be a welcome relief.  As I was surfing the Internet about a month ago with a little bit of the winter blues myself, I saw a share from someone I know, directing another someone I know to her Facebook page. The share was entitled “20 profoundly important things we learned from Winnie the Pooh.” Being a bit of a fan of Winnie the Pooh myself, I clicked on the link. Also, and just so you know, the person
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that was directed to read this article is an avid fan of Winnie the Pooh herself. Even her email address reflects her love and admiration of this childhood character. 


I have found that as we go through life, we will all have the blues or trials at one point or another in our lives. I truly believe this is why we are all here together; Which is to help each other out in times of need. This is why I thought that this article that was shared and recommended to read for this certain someone was a well-timed post because of its positive nature.  It was from an aunt to her niece who is currently going through treatment for leukemia. 

I have been lucky enough to know the niece, aka Stephanie, since the spring of 2002.  We initially met through a job announcement. She was an office manager for a dental office in Boise, Idaho, and had the duty of weeding out the “bad” candidates’ resumes from the “good” candidates’ resumes to then call them for an interview.

On the day that I went in for my interview, I was nervous like anyone else might be for a job that they really wanted to have. It was better pay, a better location and a much better commute. As I entered the newly established office, I noticed a young woman behind the counter with long sandy brown hair, a pair of sharp looking glasses on, professionally dressed and displayed a beautiful smile that one might expect in a dental setting. As I approached the front desk, I’m sure I looked nervous that day.

She said, “Welcome to our office. How may I help you?”

In letting my nerves get the best of me and with a subtle crack in my voice I responded, “I am here for the open job position you have.”

In the dental world, you find out quickly how to read a person’s body language so that you can help your patient or patron feel at ease by redirecting their attention to something else. I think Stephanie recognized my nervousness as a potential employee this day and said, “You know why we asked you to come in don’t you?” 

“No, I don’t?” I replied with a puzzled look on my face.

“It was from one of the credentials you listed on your resume that made us interested in speaking with you.”
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“Which credential was that?” I replied after swallowing really hard.

“Your title of the Shah of Iran!” She said with an even bigger smile and chuckle. Once I finally figured out what she was doing and laughed out loud myself, we then continued on with our conversation and the interview only to be joined later by the doctor himself.  

This is how our relationship began between Stephanie and I…always fun…always positive…and always looking out for the needs of others besides herself. Now that I can look back on that experience, nearly 15 years ago now, I never realized what an impact she has had on me and how she has changed my life...for the better. Not only did she become a best friend and make me a part of her family, but she has also allowed me to meet several other people that I have worked with–you all know who you are–that have also become incredible influences, confidants and best friends in my life.

So even as she is still recovering today from a recent bone marrow transplant on the 14th of February, generously given to her by the same aunt that directed her to the before mentioned article from Winnie the Pooh, I want to say, “weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.” So thank you for giving me, a weed, a chance to be a part of your life.
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Friends, but especially best friends, are definitely important people in our lives. Think about one of your best friends in your life, past or present, and how they have affected you. The one that kept the secret the best. The one that listened as you cried. The one that was able to, and maybe still is able to, complete all of your sentences before you do. Because before I end this blog today, I want to point out a couple of "profound" things from the article that definitely rings true of all best friends but especially my friend Steph.

     The first item is #6..."As soon as I saw you, I knew an adventure was going to happen.”

     Secondly is item #2...“You are braver than you believe. Stronger than you seem. And smarter than you think.’’

     Finally, and always remember item #16 of best friends...“A day without a friend is like a pot without a single drop of honey left inside.’’  

So, "Thank you" to all of my friends but especially my best friend Steph during this difficult time you are going through. After all of these years and knowing that this is way overdue, I want to say, "Thank you for being a part of my life and allowing me to be a part of yours. Love you and get well soon! Oh and by the way, my last little secret I want to share with you...my real credential is not Shah of Iran but KING OF ENGLAND!!!" 😀😂
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If you would like to help my friend Stephanie you can do it one of two ways. Sign up here to be a donor and possibly help someone save a life...https://join.bethematch.org/.  Or here with a simple donation https://www.youcaring.com/stephanie-welty-370035#.VXzUIeeb-kQ.facebook.  

Also, if you want more information about Stephanie, her illness and her story, you can see it in her own words here.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QK6cPtEvR4

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