Have you ever bumped into someone you've never met before or you don't know much about and felt like they have somehow in some small way changed your life?
I remember standing in line with my high school friends at San Francisco Pizza, waiting to order lunch. The lady in front of me just finished ordering. She turned around, held out a five dollar bill and said,
"Here, you may want a drink with your pizza."
I had never seen her before in my life. She didn't explain why she gave away money to an immature high school student, rushing to get lunch before the bell rang.
I took the money, grateful for that small and simple act of compassion that made my whole day.
If it weren't for the great people around me, I wouldn't be Rachelle.
If I look back and pick out the people that immensely touched my life, this is where I would start:
Aleesa.
Aleesa and I have been the best of friends since the war in heaven. I'm pretty sure we stood side by side throughout the whole thing. I grew up under her example, her friendship, and for a long while, her testimony. It would take forever to recap our times together.
She even got me to try things I would never even dream of doing.. like dance.
One of the first great trials in my life was the summer she left for college. It made me want to be an example to my younger siblings like she was to me. For some reason, the Lord saw it fit to place me in the callings she was released from. Those were some unbelievably hard shoes to fill. Without those challenges, I never would have motivated myself to become a leader.
I watched Aleesa go through the ups and downs of college; dating, roommates, school. I watched her roll over every obstacle she was faced with. I watched her build lasting friendships, something she never had in high school. I watched her accomplish her goal of becoming a nurse. I watched her constantly prepare herself to serve those around her. I watched her heart break over lost relationships and uncertainty.
Today, it seems that all her dreams have come true. She has found the one person that may be more perfect than she.
She's found the ultimate best friend, someone who treats her like a precious treasure, someone who adores her more than anything in the world. I couldn't be happier for what she has accomplished and for who she has become. I am watching her happily ever after. My only wish is to be there to watch her be sealed in the temple.
So she is my example. I can't imagine getting to where she is but it obviously can happen to some.
Tyson.
I met Tyson my eighth grade year at Syracuse Jr. He was training for the mile in track, just like me. He was the quiet type, extremely shy, and did NOT associate with the opposite gender. I was intrigued. There was something about him, something special. So what did I do? I chased him.
I asked about him, I was friends with one of his neighbors. I wanted to know everything: what his favorite sport was, where he lived, what his class schedule was like, I was so interested in how he interacted with his friends and why I had never seen him before.
I would look for him at lunch, pass by his locker, I would go as far as taking different routes through the halls just to bump into him. Yeah I was crazy, but I KNEW he was unique and I was completely captivated.
Halfway through my freshman year, EVERYONE knew that I liked Tyson. Everyone. The gym coach, my english teacher, his counselor, my counselor, the lunch lady, my friends, his friends, the cheerleaders, the girls basketball team, the boys basketball team, the track team. Everyone.
by the end of the year, I had cracked his shell ever so slightly. I got a picture with him and a whole group of friends at the ninth grade dance. He asked me to dance at the 9th grade dance. He asked to sign my yearbook. He came to my house and stayed ALL night. He even stopped by my house once during the summer.
Time wore on and we moved on to high school. I lost track of him as I tried again to fit into a new circle of friends. We both made the high school basketball team. Of course I told my teammates about my interest in him so they told their boyfriends on his team and long story short, we knew we liked each other. Another picture perfect moment took place when he asked me to Prom. I had the night of my life and it led to a relationship.
Our relationship wasn't the PDA type and we never referred to ourselves as boyfriend-girlfriend. When it came to holding hands, kissing, all that nonsense, we kept it real with long goodbyes and giant hugs.
We were best friends. We talked about everything. When the bell rang, there he was outside my class, waiting to continue our conversation.
In the mornings it was a race to see who would get to school first. No matter who won we always parked next to each other.
We did cross country together, basketball, and track. I never missed his races and I made sure to be the loudest cheerleader. I was his biggest fan. We went to football games, homecoming activities, after school parties, and other events. We even spent Tuesday nights playing basketball with his brothers, dad, and young men friends.
I suddenly found myself standing only in holy places. The friends we surrounded ourselves with brought out the best in us, and I was so happy. My parents actually encouraged me to spend more time around Tyson, something I would never expect from my parents.
Tyson showed me what it means to be a Latter Day Saint. He is just a sliver away from perfect. He has no weaknesses in my eyes. He is loyal, he would never betray his friends, he wouldn't even know how to. He has a concrete testimony and no one can lead him to do wrong. He is honest in everything he does. He is the most compassionate young man I've ever met. He would never hurt a fly.
He is now serving a faithful mission in Argentina. I can't imagine how many lives are touched by his example.
It was Tyson who gave me my testimony, something I will forever be grateful for. And I'll always love him for that.
Kerri/Becca
I was extremely blessed to meet two of the greatest women in my life. Three weeks after my high school graduation, I found myself in Heritage Halls at Brigham Young University where I met Kerri and Becca.
Becca is a strong, fearless, compassionate, soccer player, who can make friends with anyone and everyone. I've never met anyone who doesn't like Becca. She always includes everyone, she is always smiling, even when her heart is swollen you would never know. She has this intense desire to serve those around her. I know without a doubt that she will serve a mission.
Becca taught me how to find strength in times of grief and pain. She taught me how to rise above the adversary no matter what obstacle is in place. I love her dearly for her unconditional love and friendship.
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Kerri is someone I will be telling my grandchildren about. She is the one person that got me through the first three semesters of college. There is something about Kerri that you fall in love with the instant you meet her. She has a world full of passion bottled up in her heart that can barely be contained. She is loaded with musical talent, with a limitless capacity to learn, and an undying desire to give service. You will never meet a more loyal friend in your life. If you are of the male gender, between 21-25 years of age, and single, you should invest your heart in Kerri. I promise she is the cream of the crop. The best of the best. Kerri is an open book, her life is a fairytale in the making, and I know it will have a happily ever after.
Kerri will always be my best friend. She's always been there for me, and I know she will never give up on me until we walk side by side through the gates of heaven. She has always reminded me to have an eternal perspective. She's taught me how to serve with a willing heart, to give every thing I have into my relationships, and to find joy in the journey.
Last but not least, Michael.
I had the great privilege of writing Michael on his mission, thanks to his inspired sister. His letters gave me a burst of spirit and energy every time he wrote, and I always looked forward to the next letter.
When he got home, I somehow found the courage to attend his homecoming and meet him in person for the first time. I wasn't disappointed, that's for sure. Little did I know that the priesthood holder speaking from the pulpit would become more than my dearest friend.
Michael is ambitious, fun-loving, and extremely successful. If anyone can do it, Michael can. Adventure? Michael is there. Mission impossible? Not for Michael. He can do anything he puts his mind to.
He's got a wide range of favorites starting from unicorns, bright colors, to John Cusack, the Aquabats, and the Halloween spirit. Your garbage, most likely is his treasure.
Michael comes from a good stalk, a family full of spiritual giants, not just 6 foot giants. He's got his mother's heart, his father's wisdom, and their combined good looks. There are few families that get to attend the temple as an entire family, his family is one of those few, which says a lot about them.
Michael is not only a chick magnet, but he's also a kid magnet! He could make a living as a full-time babysitter. It may be because of his limitless imagination and knack for adventure.
He is a fantastic musician. I expect to see him in the big leagues someday as he excels in graphic design, electronic media, and videography.
Looking for a loyal friend? A traveling partner? A good time? Call Michael. He builds all kinds of bridges with every person he comes in contact with. I don't believe he has a single enemy. There isn't anyone like him, he's so unique. He's everyone's favorite, mine especially.
Michael taught me how to be creative. He taught me how to make time for the most important things, and the most important people. He always made me feel like a royal queen. He taught me how to put others above myself. I learned how to be honest and speak from the heart. Most of all he taught me to love, unconditionally.
There are so many others ingratiated on my heart.Young Women leaders, neighbors, visiting teachers, bishops, coaches, professors, classmates, roommates, family, and friends. The list would never end. The great people in my life and the things they stand for are what have shaped and refined me.
It's these people that make everything worth it.
To the world you may be just one person,
but to one person you may be the world.
