Back to encouragement...
When people meet me they often think my demeanor of joy and happiness is fake. Some would say I'm over the top. In everything I do. Which may not be a lie, but hey, it's what you get. My approach on life is positivity, happiness and HUGE hugs. I don't give little hugs, I give HUGE hugs. So much, that at least every other person comments on my hugs. "Oh dear." "Oh gosh." "You squeezed the air right out of me." Thankfully for my self confidence, some people love them. Doesn't matter that only some people love them, it hasn't made me change my HUGE hug ways. Everyone should be known for something, and I don't think HUGE hugs is a bad thing. To me, encouragement ties in with positivity, happiness and huge hugs. I always hope to encourage others I'm around. Leading them to find happiness and see the greatness in their own lives, and this little lady I mentioned above brings encouragement to me, and reminds me daily why that is such an important role to play in friendships and life in general.
See, JoHo lost her father to an unexpected accident a little over a year ago. Not long before, she had moved here to the west coast for a new adventure, leaving her family and many friends at her home on the east coast. You can only imagine how that alone would be hard, and then comes the blow of the most painful news you could never even imagine receiving. I won't even begin to describe the feelings that came over me seeing a dear friend go through this, and having a small idea of how she felt and what she was going through. From that day forward I knew that she would need a little extra sunshine in her life, and of course naturally, I wanted to give that to her. I have to tell you that since the day I met Jo, I have felt the need to "protect" her. No, she didn't ask for it, and probably gets annoyed by it, but in a sister sort of way, I feel like it is my responsibility to make sure everything is always ok in her world. I grill her with questions about her other friends, boys, her family, her travels, her running and more, basically I won't go away. I want to encourage her in every way. She can do anything - she can run fast (and boy does she), she can fight through her injuries, she can be fashionable, she can be the greatest girlfriend, friend, daughter, roommate, colleague and more. She is one the most gentle, kindest soul I have ever met.
While this is the role I try to play for her, little does she know what she does for me. She encourages me every day. Her story isn't really my story to tell, but every day my JoHo encourages me to appreciate what I have in life. She is a simple girl who is always willing to do anything for her family and friends, laughs like no other and is the most appreciative person I've ever met. Just being around her makes me happy. I'm just blessed to live among HER greatness.
So throughout my running adventures, I think of JoHo and the adversity she has had to endure these last couple years. I think about her father, and how proud he is of her. I think about her and her feelings, what she must be going through and how I can be a light in her life. I run for Froggy, and for the Ludington's and for all of those who think that they can't do it. I run to be among the greatness.
