Show Up

Almost 9 years ago our new pastor and his wife Melissa showed up on our front porch...they were house hunting and Melissa needed to use a bathroom. They were near our house so we made a great place for them to stop.

This was the first time I met Melissa. I knew within minutes that I would love her.

What I did not know was that for the next 8 and a half years, Melissa would continue to show up in my life. Her phone number would show up on my caller ID, her smiling face would show up in the door of my classroom when she would drop her son off. Melissa showed up as a good listener throughout years of various struggles. She showed up all the different times we planned to meet for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Most recently Melissa showed up on my couch during one of the loneliest times of my life....having a broken foot.

What I want to tell you about Melissa is that she did not wait for the perfect moment to show up. She didn't wait to have it all together to show up. She just showed up. Melissa was a better friend to me than I ever was to her. I can remember thinking "when I don't teach anymore I will be a better friend. When I get my life organized and my priorities straight, I will be a better friend".

My dear sweet friend Melissa passed away on July 8th. The last time I talked to Melissa was a few weeks prior to her death. She called me. She was crying when we got off the phone.

I never picked up the phone to follow up. I didn't show up for her.

In the weeks following her death were some of the saddest days of my life. In my grief and sorrow I kept hearing that phrase "show up".

I made a decision during those weeks to be more like Melissa in this way. To be someone who shows up.

I know that I will never be the perfect friend, not the person who shows up all the time for everyone. But what I do know is that I am not going to wait to have it all together, to have the perfect timing. I am just going to try to be more like my sweet Melissa.

So here it is....the day before we hope to see Valera again. In these weeks leading up to this moment, I have felt excited, scared, unworthy, ill-equipped thrilled, peaceful, etc. More than anything though I am honored with the opportunity to SHOW UP for Valera. I have no idea how God will finish this story, but what I know for sure is that He has led us to this moment.

Thank you God for ever crossing our path with Melissa's. Thank you God for ever crossing our paths with Valera's. Thank You God for always showing up for us!