Thank You

Chipotle has these obscure "Two Minute Read" cups. I really liked the one I received whilst at lunch one day with Crossfit, and thought that it would be a good exercise to complete. The author wrote in his notes that:

 "It occurred to me that there are all sorts of people who’ve done wonderful things for me, big and small, and I never got a chance to thank them.  So I thought I’d take the opportunity to do so." 

So here it goes... my thanks for wonderful things, big and small, whether their effects were immediate or lifelong.

Ryan said, "Don't undervalue what you've done." He told me to not self-depreciate, and to own accomplishments; that even if you are the only one standing at the plate, at least you showed up to the ball game.  Since my infancy, my mother told me to walk in the crosswalks, because you get more money in the lawsuit if a car hits you... which sounds ridiculous to you but not to me. On long road trips, we would sing “A-you’re a-dorable” song, and the song “Low Bridge” which have proven to be most useful throughout my years.

Julie was my first best friend and taught me the rules of sharing and being nice to your friends, because they are your friends.

Taylor Ranch instilled in me how to garden and grow, inch by inch, row by row. Joan said, "Measure twice, cut once."  In a bedroom closet where spare chairs were kept, Alex used to pilot the space ship into outer space, and even though even in the moment I knew it was silly and pretend, I swear to god I could see it.

Lorraine let me crawl into her bed with her and do Sudoku puzzles and not talk about it if I didn't want to, any day of the week.  Justin chased down my car before I left the driveway. JP left flowers at my door to greet me when I got home from a long trip.  Brian said, "Bring me the bill, I'll pay for it."

Mark taught me to wait until the other person is finished speaking. Wait until everyone else stands up and leaves. Wait until all the pieces fall together. A kindred soul gave me Southwest points and made dreams come true.  Kate made lots of itineraries.  Jesse said he would drive us up the mountain.  Janet went into my house when I wasn't home and put food and flowers in my kitchen.  Regina forged me into a creature who could love a friend through constant inflicted hurt, teaching me how to instantly forgive.

Andi wrote, "He knows what we all know," and I felt her smile from across the country, and it filled me with a warmth I still embrace in cold times.

Sara with No H fit like she belonged.  Daniela said, "No, you need to leave work and be in a machine right now!" Jen blasted Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" in her 1987 Plymouth Caravelle in the high school parking lot. Sue said that she was very funny.  Larry said very little, but smiled a lot. Peter said that caring sounds like some sort of expenditure of emotional capital, and that juice had better be worth the squeeze.

Katherine is one of the most beautiful, smart, successful people I (and most people) have ever known, and before we left, she told me that she wanted to be more like me. Steve is a giant with a tender heart who prays.  Jeremy shakes my hand. Trinity sent me a box of groceries.  After a heavy sigh, Christian said, "Salvage what you can."  Michelle said,"Just remember, credit awarded!" Rachel spent many nights around cold wet ditches to save the kittens.  Scotty gave me the gift of his story.  

My dad would dance around the kitchen. He would also say words that were very intense and raw, and if they were directed at you, you would endure the uncomfortable and extended moments it took, because you knew it was necessary because they were gems straight from his heart.  I realize apologetically but not regretfully that I have inherited that exact trait.  Liz persistently reminds me to keep blogging.  After hundreds of sunsets spent elsewhere, La Push taught me the real magic of the horizon at sunset. Great-Aunt Anna took my hand and said, "I love you too, dear."  Melissa sent me a box. Nick helped me move several times, asking nothing in return. 

Elaine taught me about couch day. Karen brought me with her, and I brought her with me.   Lots of boys drove me around in their cars.  Jennifer went and got me a sponge and bucket when the twin towers were going down.  Jason said, "What was the last thing she said to you?" To which I replied, "She said, 'I'll talk to you later.'"  And he replied, "So then she'll talk to you later."  In frustration and sadness, I said, "How can they be so cruel? I just don't understand!" to which Mario replied, "And you never will."