“These People”!

It seems only logical for me to write a big ol blog today about MelaNoMo! I mean, after all, we just wrapped up our 10th and final fundraiser and I could not be prouder. R U kidding…we raised a boatload of money! That is the power of begging! Proud! Happy! And done!

But honestly, I’m not feeling it right now. Maybe because I’m tired… as is everyone else. I do however want to “chat” for just a minute about everyone else! (a favorite pastime) Let’s begin with the “show-er uppers”. Can we all agree on how fascinating “these people” can be? The type that never misses a funeral. I mean…big time high five, and shout out to them! (seriously…not me!) The struggle is real and the amount of energy that it takes to “show up” is huge! It involves clothes for crying out loud! Maybe you have received that notification on an invitation… inviting you to “show up” in a certain form of fashion…as in “dressy casual”, for instance, or as I like to call it…PLEASE??? Earrings with tassels, bangles up to your elbow, and Rodan+Fields lashes for the girls…coats & ties for the guys and oh my…socks or not? Your prerogative, but wwdld (what would Dr. Locicero do)? Showing up is courteous, yes, but it can inevitably lead to spreading kind words to one another! (a task that takes on tremendous effort… also known as small talk!)  The “show-er uppers” are punctual as hell and usually have a baked good or two in their helping hands to share amongst us. (Ummm, again… not me) Sometimes people just volunteer. W H A T? (Def: work without pay!)  Oh, Oh, Oh, hear this Y’all…some people go to meetings and sign up on a sheet of paper to do stuff. Then they have to do things that no one (in their right mind) would want to do. This implies group texting and endless e-mails. (Suckers) OK, before I get carried away, and you start to imagine I don’t like these “charming” people hanging out with me …You are wrong! I get it…”these people”, are the very ones that make things matter. They do “these things” when no one is looking, and no one is asking for anything in return. They sneak up on you, like Gainesville’s very own, Don Wade did, handing out his magical two dollar bills when you least expected it! (even if your kiddos may not have deserved it that day).

BUT…listen, because this is the important part…People show up… (Dr.’s and nurses) Our volunteers … (wife, sister, and brother)  People have been showing up over and over… again and again willing to serve. Dedicating a part of their life to help our son, Neil, and many others. YOU ALL SHOWED UP! Every time you pulled out your checkbook and a pen. Every time you painted an oyster. Every time you drove for hours in order to be there. You brought tons of talent… your music, your art, and your photography. You came with food to nourish us and wildflowers for our tables.

You showed up with your time. You showed up as our friend.

YOU are “THESE  PEOPLE”…my show-er uppers.

I love that you have been showing up for a decade for a family other than your own… for us.

I love it when kindness shows up!

“You people” will always and forever…fascinate me!