The Hurt and the Healer

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So.. Listen to this song




 It has been two years, three months, and 21 days since my best friend died... This being said since her death I have spoken at 7 press conferences, appeared at 21 high schools, appeared as staff at over 15 outreach events and I lost count of broadcasting/ newspaper/ radio interviews because I stopped recording them after my DVR was full and I can't keep up with the newspaper.. One commercial, one legislative bill passed and one campaign; all supported by my hands, voice, and heart which helped to make a difference... Someone asked me yesterday "what helps you grieve this loss in such a positive way, and how are you only 21 years old!?"  My response? My age has nothing to do with it, I have always been the "old soul," don't know why, just am... What helped me? : my faith, my family, my friends, my sweet love, and one of the most important blessings and doors of which have opened, my job. I am given the job opportunity of a lifetime I never asked for... Ever. I am so grateful for my position, the ability to speak to teens, and their friends and families, small children and adults... I am so happy to hear "can you come over and properly install my car seat base please?" or "can you explain to my child why he needs to be in a booster seat," my personal favorite... "I am really sorry to hear about your best friend, but thank you for talking to my class today… though I didn’t before, I will wear my seatbelt from now on."  Recently, The hurt and the healer by MercyMe has become one of my favorite songs this year... I don't know what God has been trying to tell me, but for the last week, I have listened to the song and something has told me "look up the meaning of this song, discover why it was written (watch this)... 



 This is so true, Drew's niece was born weeks ago and we have so many anxious hopes for her. Dreams she may reach, personalities she may one day obtain... but death you miss the old hopes and dreams, you'd trade them for better memories... you appreciate, change, mourn, mope, dwell, and aspire to change bad or ugly habits, make amends, looooooveee deeper and speaaaaaaak sweeter (Tim McGraw reference). But I chose to make a difference... and I am so thankful I have. So if ever given the opportunity to live for the deceased, or mourn because they're no longer living... Count your blessings not your shortcomings... God will take care of the rest.

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