jackrabbit_

I am a firm believer that things in life happen for a reason. Situations occur, they happen, to teach you something about yourself. I believe that while some times are more difficult than others, that you are never given more than you can truly handle. That people are placed in your life for a purpose, they do not just appear for no reason. That as a person, we are constantly evolving into something better than we were the day before and will in turn, be better tomorrow.

Right now, I was reminded of such things when a friend I have had since the 9th grade messaged me. A man that I have always truly admired and loved. A man that was quite easily my first "love" and crush. My first real kiss, the first to meet my father, my first male best friend. While we never actually dated, I was closer to him than most anyone else during those years of my life. He was completely opposite of me and taught me so much about the type of person I wanted to be and the type of person I wanted to have in my life. Over the years, we have remained friends, keeping in touch and finding a way back to each other when times are tough or when one of us was needed to sort of ground the other. Tonight, I was there to ground him, and I am thankful for that.

There is no greater feeling than to be told that someone felt that you reminded them of the best qualities in themselves. That you always know what to say to make them remember the type of person they want to be, the type of person they used to be and wish to be again. That you are the rock, the one thing that remains constant over the years. I was told that earlier, and it's an amazing feeling.

Talking to him showed me how much I have changed over my life, and become the person I am today. It made me realize how thankful I am for the things that I have, and thankful for the things I have been through. Things haven't always been easy, but they could have been a lot harder. I have grown into a stronger woman than I would have ever imagined I would be. I am happy that I can be thought of as that someone that makes a person remember the best qualities in themselves, the one person they can turn to when no one else understands.

I write this all to remind you that even when you don't realize it, you influence peoples lives in ways you would never imagine. You touch them in a way that isn't always visible at that time. And in return, they have touched yours. Remember that when you are having a bad day, that at some point, you have been the one person that stands out in someone's mind. That you are that shiny star that helps them when it's needed most. YOU have become the something that happened for a reason.