Why wait?

Facebook is a marvelous thing. Yes, privacy issues, high expectations, blah, blah, blah... but all of those "we want it all and we want it now even though it is free and a social media tool for the world to see" feelings aside, allows us to reconnect with people we haven't seen in a long time. Some of those people were meaningful to us and so, to "see" them again is a better than great feeling. I have several of them on my page.

One of these friends was a huge part of my life my freshman year in college. That year that took my soul, ripped it from my chest, twisted it around in every which way and THEN tried to shove it back in to a place that no longer fit. Yes, it was an interesting year - wonderful and hard and so many things. My friends helped me survive that year and I have never forgotten them. So, back on track... This friend, we will call her Mary, was one of those people. We were crazy alike in personality - blunt but loyal, direct but caring... you get the drift. So Mary was one of my favorite people and I had missed her terribly over the years. When I found her again on facebook, I was able to see how very much she was the same and how very much she had grown. I loved it - every picture, every story, everything! Then I found her blog.

Now Mary was always an amazing writer, but her blog is so good that I find myself making time to read it - just to hear her stories in her voice. They make me laugh and cry all at the same time. Last night, I felt the need to tell her how much I appreciated her friendship, how much I miss it today and how phenomenal of a writer I think she is. Personally, I think the world is missing out on her writing and that she should rectify that situation with a book. I would buy it - I would buy it for all of my girlfriends... she is that good.

So I said thank you and then I said that I hope she would write a book. I knew that her life was busy, but even if it took 10 years, she should do it. She has a talent and we need a talent like hers in this insane world. Something to make us laugh and cry and call our girlfriends to talk about it.

I heard back from her this morning - it is amazing how little time and distance and different paths can do to a friendship: one rooted out of unconditional bonds. She said that my email was timed perfectly, for several reasons and that she had been thinking of writing a book but had always pushed it down. Perhaps my email was the reminder she needed. Maybe there is no longer a reason to wait - maybe there never was.

We all need to be pushed a little. No matter how daring or adventurous or confident or talented we are, taking that leap to do something bigger than we ever imagined is hard. It is scary and overwhelming. So make sure you can be that person for those you love and care about. Make sure you allow others to be that for you. We NEED people to do things bigger and better and the only way we will get that is for others to encourage and push and prod and, and, and....

Thank you Mary! I believe in you and I can't wait to buy a copy of your first book...