“We all take different paths in life, but no matter where we go, we take a little of each other everywhere.”
I'm writing today to recognize that I have been influenced.... That is greatly influenced by the people around me. Also, I want to acknowledge those who go with me everywhere because of their influence. For the friend who loved books so much, I've always wanted to write something worthy of you. One of you out there is responsible for my love of swinging in the moonlight and midnight cheeseburgers...not to mention being my superhero partner! Another of you introduced me to Cream of Wheat and opened the door for a practical obsession with Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. And how about the person who lead me to my favorite band, National Product? My life will forever be different because of you who turned on Sherlock and later asked me to help garden when I didn't have a clue. And because of you who is trying to make my wall of kindness into a fence, life is enriched with those decadent moments of hilarity! But this list is not extensive...many more of you out there are always with me.
Of course, one can't speak of influence without including genetics...I love organizing things and science experiments, making and keeping friends, and have a wall of kindness because of how two wonderful people raised me. I can appreciate a great joke and can stand a messy room because of the two other people those wonderful people raised.
But the whole reason I brought up this range of influence was because of how I spent my weekend. I've volunteered for Special Olympics events several times in the last year. Now, there's one of you out there that is entirely responsible for this! You are the same one who's responsible for introducing me to Zumba and you are the reason that I own (and regularly use) a tongue scrubber. Those points aside, because of you, I have been affected and made better through these experiences. I was surrounded by the most content and most enthusiastic people I've ever encountered. They lived simply and loved every moment! This is how I want to learn to be.
My point is this...I am grateful for the influence of beautiful, awe-inspiring people. And thank you all for being those people!
