Hey there, Meredith!<\/p>\n
Well, it looks like you have ended right where you started from (location-wise): peering at the Ambassador bridge from the 6th floor lounge. But this time, you are in the company of the\u00a0moon in its\u00a0waxing gibbous phase. You are also in the company of the the kind, knowledgeable, reasonable, and huggable Chris Anderson. In addition to Chris, you\u00a0have met so many inspiring and friendly individuals who have changed your\u00a0life for the better. And I can assure you that your\u00a0friendship with the city of Detroit and its people has also just began.<\/p>\n
I think the lyrics to “For Good” by Idina Menzel capture my feelings pretty accurately:<\/p>\n
I’ve heard it said,
\nThat people come into our lives
\nFor a reason
\nBringing something we must learn.
\nAnd we are lead to those
\nWho help us most to grow if we let them.
\nAnd we help them in return.
\nWell, I don’t know if I believe that’s true
\nBut I know I’m who I am today
\nBecause I knew you.<\/p>\n
Like a comet pulled from orbit
\nAs it passes a sun,
\nLike a stream that meets a boulder
\nHalfway through the wood.
\nWho can say if I’ve been changed for the better
\nBut because I knew you.
\nI have been changed for good.<\/p>\n
It well may be
\nThat we will never meet again
\nIn this lifetime.
\nSo, let me say before we part:
\nSo much of me
\nIs made of what I learned from you.
\nYou’ll be with me
\nLike a handprint on my heart.
\nAnd now whatever way our stories end
\nI know you’ll have rewritten mine
\nBy being my friend.<\/p>\n
Two weeks ago, I had one of my friends read the complete lyrics to this song before he went to treatment for thirty days. It seemed like the perfect “synchronous” time to do so.<\/p>\n
For some background, Aaron Foster was very timid and apprehensive about conversation when I first came to Bell. I respected his reserved personality, but I continued to greet him each day with a friendly hello, smile, and bits of small talk. As the weeks progressed, Aaron started to open up, and we were on a hug salutation basis. A little while back, Aaron decided to sit in on soccer practice. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Aaron kicking a soccer ball against the wall. Keep in mind that Aaron uses a cane to get around. The next thing I know, Aaron hobbles to where we were scrimmaging, and he says something along the lines of “clear the way, Aaron’s coming to play.” Aaron hopped into the court as goalie, and he had quite a few remarkable saves. Anyone could tell how happy he was from his big smile and contagious chuckle.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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