Everyone is born, but not everyone is born the same. Some will grow to be butchers, or bakers, or candlestick makers. Some will only be really good at making Jell-O salad. One way or another, though, every human being is unique, for better or for worse. And the person you couldnt deny that was ultimately unique, for better or for worse, was my friend Rose.
I had known Rose since my days as a sales associate at my first job, Forever 21. And though I never would have predicted in a million years that I would be friends with such a sassy and brassy person, I did. And still was. In fact, if looked at a certain angle, most people would raise their eyebrows in question as to how two completely different people like me and Rose could ever be friends. But we were. Which is why I was one of the few people, not related to her, invited to her birthday dinner. Her family considered me more than just a friend. They considered me a part of their family and made me the guest of honor.
As the guest of honor, I was the most talked-about and talked-to person of the party. Next to the birthday girl, of course. And though the limelight seemed to be shining on me more than it should have, it was because Rose's entire family was thankful and utterly grateful for my pressence in Rose's life.
According to Rose's family, I had been a major catalyst who helped make a tremendous change in Rose's life. Before me, Rose was a high school drop-out, living with her baby-daddy, Damien, always getting drunk and higher than Snoop Dogg, every weekend. Of course, I couldnt take too much credit for the "change" in Rose, since it was a series of "cant-remember-a-thing" parties that made us closer, but over the course of our friendship, as I matured, so did she. She stopped the all-night partying along with the binge drinking and the heavy smoking. She left Damien and saw that there were other guys out there who did and would apprieciate her. But the biggest change of all, was that Rose was actually studying for her GED, in the hopes that she could take some classes at a community college. That task alone showed a growth in Rose, that her family never saw possible, but ultimately made them thankful.
I had no idea I had such an influence. It was like that post, my blog friend Jillian wrote last week. During his days as a firefighter, Jillian's dad had to defibrillate a man's heart, only a week after recieving his paramedic certification. Up until that moment, it was one of the most nerve-wrecking events in his life, as he wondered if whether or not he was capable of saving a man's life. Turns out, he was. In more ways than one. That story was a reminder that we all play a part in the grand scheme of life and you never know just whose life you may touch or change.
And it wasnt only Rose's life I changed. It was her entire family. Small little things I did, like shopping with a few members of Rose's family or even just having a small conversation with them, affected their actions and words. And they showed their appreciation by profusely thanking me over and over again. Who knew I had such an impact on so many lives?
The next day, as we made our way to the airport and through a sea of fake pony-skin and Samsonite-wannabe suitcases, I began to wonder how many lives in Las Vegas I could and would help change. It would be like that movie, Pay It Foward, only there wouldnt be any hooking up or any tragic deaths. But there would be a few choice comedic moments. Like when airport security made Rose go back outside and dump out her tangerine/almond/mint shampoo into plastic baggies because she was over the limit that was permitted. Like it was my fault Rose hadn't kept up with the new traveling guidelines. But, after we were seated on the plane, Rose said something to me that made me wonder if I had any part in her deluded decision.
ROSE: David.
ME: What?
ROSE: I actually have a confession.
ME: Well, since I am an ordained priest.
ROSE: Shut up. No. I actually have an ALL-tierior motive for coming here.
ME: You mean, UL-terior.
ROSE: Whatever. I'm getting married.
ME: What?! To who?!
ROSE: To Damien.
People are always telling me things I dont want to hear. This one had crossed the line. I caught a glimpse of Las Vegas as we circled before landing. It was weird. I'd seen that view a million times in movies, TV, magazines, newspapers. So it was like I'd been here before. Except I hadn't. This time I wasnt taking in the view of Las Vegas while a list of opening credits rolled. This was real. The Bellagio, the Wynn, the MGM Grand, all the spectacular monuments leading to the heart of the city. But the only heart that mattered to me, was that of my friend Rose.
I had known Rose since my days as a sales associate at my first job, Forever 21. And though I never would have predicted in a million years that I would be friends with such a sassy and brassy person, I did. And still was. In fact, if looked at a certain angle, most people would raise their eyebrows in question as to how two completely different people like me and Rose could ever be friends. But we were. Which is why I was one of the few people, not related to her, invited to her birthday dinner. Her family considered me more than just a friend. They considered me a part of their family and made me the guest of honor.
As the guest of honor, I was the most talked-about and talked-to person of the party. Next to the birthday girl, of course. And though the limelight seemed to be shining on me more than it should have, it was because Rose's entire family was thankful and utterly grateful for my pressence in Rose's life.
According to Rose's family, I had been a major catalyst who helped make a tremendous change in Rose's life. Before me, Rose was a high school drop-out, living with her baby-daddy, Damien, always getting drunk and higher than Snoop Dogg, every weekend. Of course, I couldnt take too much credit for the "change" in Rose, since it was a series of "cant-remember-a-thing" parties that made us closer, but over the course of our friendship, as I matured, so did she. She stopped the all-night partying along with the binge drinking and the heavy smoking. She left Damien and saw that there were other guys out there who did and would apprieciate her. But the biggest change of all, was that Rose was actually studying for her GED, in the hopes that she could take some classes at a community college. That task alone showed a growth in Rose, that her family never saw possible, but ultimately made them thankful.
I had no idea I had such an influence. It was like that post, my blog friend Jillian wrote last week. During his days as a firefighter, Jillian's dad had to defibrillate a man's heart, only a week after recieving his paramedic certification. Up until that moment, it was one of the most nerve-wrecking events in his life, as he wondered if whether or not he was capable of saving a man's life. Turns out, he was. In more ways than one. That story was a reminder that we all play a part in the grand scheme of life and you never know just whose life you may touch or change.
And it wasnt only Rose's life I changed. It was her entire family. Small little things I did, like shopping with a few members of Rose's family or even just having a small conversation with them, affected their actions and words. And they showed their appreciation by profusely thanking me over and over again. Who knew I had such an impact on so many lives?
The next day, as we made our way to the airport and through a sea of fake pony-skin and Samsonite-wannabe suitcases, I began to wonder how many lives in Las Vegas I could and would help change. It would be like that movie, Pay It Foward, only there wouldnt be any hooking up or any tragic deaths. But there would be a few choice comedic moments. Like when airport security made Rose go back outside and dump out her tangerine/almond/mint shampoo into plastic baggies because she was over the limit that was permitted. Like it was my fault Rose hadn't kept up with the new traveling guidelines. But, after we were seated on the plane, Rose said something to me that made me wonder if I had any part in her deluded decision.
ROSE: David.
ME: What?
ROSE: I actually have a confession.
ME: Well, since I am an ordained priest.
ROSE: Shut up. No. I actually have an ALL-tierior motive for coming here.
ME: You mean, UL-terior.
ROSE: Whatever. I'm getting married.
ME: What?! To who?!
ROSE: To Damien.
People are always telling me things I dont want to hear. This one had crossed the line. I caught a glimpse of Las Vegas as we circled before landing. It was weird. I'd seen that view a million times in movies, TV, magazines, newspapers. So it was like I'd been here before. Except I hadn't. This time I wasnt taking in the view of Las Vegas while a list of opening credits rolled. This was real. The Bellagio, the Wynn, the MGM Grand, all the spectacular monuments leading to the heart of the city. But the only heart that mattered to me, was that of my friend Rose.
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