There's a poor old man in Apt. 79 too...

Back in April of 2012 I read a story about a woman who patiently waited for the phone to ring, for a knock on the door, for an invitation to go out and show off her best dress. Every day was the same routine for her. The only conversation was with her broken reflection, the only sound was the pain in her heart, and the only movement was her wiping away the tears. She knew her time was limited, but her selfless heart, that of a mother, never gave up hope that there would come a day when they would remember the poor old woman who brought them into this world. The poor old woman in apartment 79 who would do it all again just to hear the phone ring, to hear the knock on the door, to hear them say "Ma, you look beautiful in that dress." When I first read the story, I was angry because all the woman wanted was to feel like she still mattered. I knew one day they would regret not knowing how good they had it and I no longer felt angry, but sad. I found the story in the paper and I decided to stop by this apartment.

Apartment 79. I knocked on the door and there was no response. Maybe today was a good day. Maybe today one of them remembered this wonderful woman and took her out to show off her best dress. But as I walked away, the door slowly opened. An old man answered the door and after asking about the woman from the story he told me I was at the right place, except that I was too late. His eyes filled with tears and I knew what he meant. She was no longer here.

I asked how it all happened. After wiping away his tears he told me the story. 21 days in the hospital, but not one day did she spend alone like she did in the apartment. She did not go alone, but with the love and presence of the people she most cared about like she always wanted. "We were all finally a family," he told me.

This was good, right? I thought to myself. But I noticed the sadness as he said that.
After pausing for a long time he went on, "but it's only been two months and it's like they already forgot. Not necessarily her, but the fact that they still have me. It's like they think because I am a man, that I don't feel the loneliness of this apartment. They forget that I still love and need them." He paused again. He swallowed hard and continued, "But you know something, I would do it all again just hear the phone ring, to hear the knock on the door, to hear them say 'Pa, you look good in that shirt'."

I did not know what to say. It was not just a woman who longed to feel like she still mattered, but a man with the same desire too. If I was upset when I heard the story of the woman, now that I learned there were actually two old people in the apartment longing for the same thing, my heart was even sadder. What else needs to happen for this storyline to stop repeating itself? I hope it doesn't take this poor old man being in the hospital for a temporary change of heart of these people again. I hope that next time I come visit this man, he will answer the door and only cry tears of joy. I hope they realize it soon, how good they have it, for them and for him before he no longer waits by the door, no longer waits by the phone, and no longer puts on his best shirt because he is gone too.

Take the time to show the people you love what they mean to you because when they are gone, things are never the same. 

<3

In Memory of My Grandma
11.20.25 - 12.12.12. 

She's KINDA the best...

Erin Marie Kinda. 

I met this amazing girl freshmen year in high school on the varsity soccer team. Now you're probably like woah two freshmen were on the varsity team?! Yeah we were...along with 8 or 9 others. So yes not as exciting. Our freshmen year there were not enough girls to have a JV team so they put all of us on one team. Probably would have been the worst soccer experience of my life if it hadn't been for Erin Kinda and the other girls who helped me keep the bench warm.

It wasn't that we were bad soccer players, we were just not as good as the other girls and and let's be honest the coach had her favorites and we were not about to kiss butt to get more playing time. Besides the bench was kind of fun. I mean who doesn't want to watch 90 minutes of getting scored on and hearing the coach tell us how bad we are even though she doesn't give us a chance to help the team? Okay clearly I'm still a little bitter about this experience. I mean if it hadn't been for the coach I would have kept playing and probably be going pro by now. I mean whatever it's cool because at least good friendships came from all of that. Bus rides were insane with these girls. We would always mess around and prank call people. (I know, we were cool) And soccer practice was always fun too, well we made it fun. We liked when the assistant coach ran practice because we would always convince him not to make us run. Oh Mike Rossi. But this post is not about him or how I should have probably gone pro. I was simply providing some background to one of the greatest friendships I have been blessed with in my life. And what better day to tell you all why she is one of my reasons to smile then on her 21st birthday!

So our friendship started on an unfortunate and silly experience, but it is our ability to make the best of situations that has allowed us to become the best of friends. I know I can always pick up the phone and talk to her about anything. We always send each other random texts at just about the right time. It does not matter how long it has been since we have talked, we can always pick up right where we left off. We always encourage each other to be the best versions of ourselves and we always have a fun time when we hangout too. I am truly blessed. Erin is talented in so many ways. She's a badass actress. I can't wait until she becomes famous so she can introduce me to Ashton Kutcher, Channing Tatum, and Mila Kunis. Seriously though I can't wait until she becomes famous so the world can see how amazing she is and have all of those unbelievers regret anything they ever said. She has a gift and I'm looking forward to her making that known. She is also an amazing writer. She's clever, witty, hilarious and isn't afraid of being herself! She's a total catch boys! I'm always in awe at her authenticity!

Erin Kinda has been someone I have looked up to since I met her. She is one of my heroes, which is why I was speechless when she asked me to be her sponsor for conformation this coming spring. I am so honored and I truly believe this stepping stone will not only be a confirmation of her faith, but also of the friendship that started seven years ago on the cold soccer bench in high school. I truly believe we will be friends for a long time and I look forward to seeing where life takes the both of us. Erin, thank you for being who you are. For helping me mold into the person that I am today. Thank you for bringing happiness to my life. For showing me what it means to be strong. Thank you for your kind and genuine heart. For your endless love and support. I wish you the best birthday because you deserve it! Can't wait to see you. Remember that you are one of my reasons to smile and I love you to the moon and back!

HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY!!!

Bottums up ;)

<3

P.S. Her last name has a different pronunciation than the slang word "kinda."Forgot to mention she's australian.