My initial thought was, "of course." Then followed up by, "I don't know how to do this!" There was a part of me that wanted to cheer Lindsay on saying, "you know her best, you can do this." But then I knew, she was asking for help and know how or not, I had to. I imagined Susan in her bed and Lindsay and other family next to her. I imagined a host of angels in the room too. Then, because I knew I couldn't alone, I asked to borrow her angels. I asked them to help me write something that paid homage to her incredible spirit, that even not meeting her, I sensed.
Lindsay is my oldest friend. In second grade, we were best friends in Ms. Zemba's class. Our greatest glory together that we still talk about is winning the 3-legged race at the end of the year field day.We practiced for weeks after school and on the weekends for that race. I moved to Indiana after second grade and Lindsay and I lost touch until ninth grade in high school. On the first day of school back in Florida, we were sat next to each other in History class and were amazed to be reunited after so many years.
After college, we both were busy living our lives but through Facebook, I saw that Lindsay seemed to be living life to the fullest, traveling the world and always doing fun activities. I also noticed that she had co-founded a foundation called the Smiley Wiley Breast Cancer Foundation with and for a dear friend of hers, Susan.
Last year, while in Denver interviewing for a job, Lindsay and I spent the day together, rehashing and catching up on the events of our lives in the past five years. It was then that I learned first hand from Lindsay what an impact Susan has made in her life. Only she can really say all that Susan has given her, but from my point of view, she taught her how to live life fully. How to run a business, how to value the outdoors and every single breath we have here. Over the past year, I've heard of Lindsay accompanying Susan to Baltimore while she received treatment.
I guess my point in writing this is to express my admiration for Lindsay. For being the definition of a friend to Susan. For having the courage to face death, and walk a friend down that path. For having the ambition to start a foundation to do good for others in the midst of setting up her own State Farm agency. Twenty eight has hardly looked so wise.
This comes at the time of year when we give Thanks for all that we have; for all of the people in our lives that make us smile in shared joy and for those who walk the path of tribulation next to us. A time to give Thanks for the rising and setting sun and moon to anchor our days and nights. A Thanks for life, all of it.
For more information on the foundation that Lindsay and Susan created, visit: www.smileywiley.org
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| Susan and Lindsay having fun |
