warm fuzzies

Tonite a friend of mine and her MBA schoolgroup (not sure if that's the right term) came to volunteer at the hope lodge. As part of her MBA program, she & her group had to organize a project that had to do with community involvement...so they chose the lodge. They made care packages for the patients & their caregivers, which included stuff like toothpaste, chapstick, tissues, and valentines made by the 5th grade students of one of the group member's mothers. On top of that, my friend's brother is an executive chef, so he arranged food for the guests' dinner. MAN, that was a feast. There was great turnout and you could tell that the guests were so grateful for the groups efforts. This is the part of volunteering that gets me hooked every time...doing something caring for another human being, knowing that you have made their life (or someone's life) just a little better in the process. I almost got all misty over the experience! :) It was after all just a warm meal & a few small gifts, but I know it meant a lot to the guests. It's nights like these that make me very thankful to be a part of such a great place as the hope lodge.

In other news...i know it's been awhile since i've written...sorry bout that. The last time i wrote i mentioned that there was a big weekend coming up and that it would be important to me for a couple of reasons. Well, the biggest one was that Feb 4 marked the 5 year anniversary of the death of my friend Steve. I know when someone dies it is so easy to say "man, so and so was such a great person!" But truly, he was, and this is why he is so dearly missed by so many of us. He always always had a ready smile, gave the BEST bear hugs of anyone I know, and was such a kind person. He was a Good Guy...the guy all of our parents wanted us to end up married to, or at least to someone just like him.

Steve and I went to high school together, and were part of a bigger group of friends that all hung out together (about 20ish of us). We've all managed to stay at least in touch if not stay close since high school--something I'm very proud of, and I know Steve would have been proud of us as well. To observe this day that we experienced such a monumental loss, we planned an outing at a local irish pub to raise a drink in Steve's memory. The strange thing was, i dont think any of us really mentioned Steve or even reminisced during the whole event...I wonder why that was? He was the guest of honor, why not? Was it that we all miss him so much that we were afraid to mention his name in fear of acknowledging the pain & loss we all felt? I dont know. I do know that he was definitely on the mind of every person there...and I'd like to think he was there with us, celebrating the bonds of friendship that we all hold so dear. I miss him dearly...it hurts my heart...BUT, i believe this saying definitely rings true: "it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." Steve's presence in our lives made a positive lasting impression...even to have had him for a short time was better than not at all.

So finally...the special intention i asked you all to pray for was that there was a decision to be made regarding my career & living situation...and the intention was that the outcome not be what I thought I wanted at the time, but what would be in my best interests for the long run, and that I be okay with that. Basically that I leave the situation in God's hands and that I make the right decision. It appears that that is what has happened, and so I thank you all for your thoughts & prayers. If you want to know the non-ambiguous, non-blog version let me know & I'll email ya.

Anywho...
Ok, so on a happier note, i have to post two things that really make me smile & laugh these days (gotta lighten things up here a bit...).
1--The "Brilliant!" guinness commercials that are out with the brewmasters...they just crack me up! Here's the link.
2--Our team name for the chili cookoff we're having at work next week: Chuck Norris' Texas Roundhouse Kickin' Chili. We're gonna have a couple of guys on our team dress up as Chuck Norris, and we're going to make up ads with Chuck's picture & some Chuck Norris sayings to advertise and gain support for our chili in the contest. We are sure to win! :)