Because of the way you are...

I sure do miss hanging out with Laresa so much. In college, she studied psychology, and had a natural interest in what makes people who they are. If you were to deconstruct yourself, what are the little parts that make YOU? Family dynamics, relationships, friendships, good memories, hobbies... and even some of the stickier stuff... depression? disease? addiction? Not only a good student, Laresa was also the best kind of friend I could have had. She loved listening, and as any good counselor should, she pointed me towards finding my own answers myself, and never told me my answers for me.

Learning how to be alone is tough. Alone, I mean, without some of your favorite people around. Moving to Muskogee has been so hard, I'm not going to lie. Although I do really love this town, and the people here, it's really tough starting over, having NO co-workers, and few friends here in town so far. But I have also learned more about the people back home that I miss so much... and feel in some ways, perhaps I'm even closer to them now, than I was then.

I'm learning that "family" isn't always just who you're related to. I think of it more the way I first described in this post. Family is who falls into all your empty places, and makes you YOU. Even if people aren't in your life anymore, they still fill some small part inside you. These are the people that not only knew your heart song, but sometimes wrote it. Taught it to you.

Today, I'm thankful for Laresa, who after a couple years of distance, we've picked up as strong or even stronger than where we left off. For being my ear, my shoulder, my friend. Because of everything you are.

"Well someone told me that’s your reason, you see I say 'because' is good enough, its’ good enough for me. It’s partly who I am, but it’s mostly… because of the way you are"