May 12, 2017
Today is a special day for my dear friend Kristie Wilson. While teaching full time, she has earned her Masters Degree in Math Education, and she graduates today. Due to work activities, I am unable to attend the commencement, but am so very proud of her.
Friends are so very important in our lives. From the time we begin to develop beyond infancy we look for companionship; another person with whom to share our adventures. Most childhood friendships run their course, and we lose track of one another as we grow up. Through high school we form friendships that seem, at the time, to be destined to last a life-time. Some of those relationships endure, but many do not. Then in college we repeat the pattern of forging wonderful, strong friendships, and we swear to work to maintain these wonderful treasures. I, for one, have not done that. Life, marriage, career, moving to another state all seemed to trump the necessity of "keeping in touch".
I have watched my children do a much better job at maintaining friendships. Coby has wonderful friendships from grammar school, high school, and college. Mark served as Best Man for a friend he met in kindergarten, and J.T. rooms with his kindergarten bestie! Maybe the younger generations will work harder to maintain these special connections.
As an adult, and more recently, I have come to understand that friendship takes real work, and that work is worth the rewards. We have to remember that friendship is a lot of give and take, and we have to willing to do both the giving and the taking. Kristie Wilson has taught be this important lesson.
Do you remember the Tim Allen show Home Improvement? Tim's character in the show had a wise, all knowing, patient neighbor named Wilson. Kristie Rose Wilson is my Wilson! This woman is the example of patience! She will listen to me rant and rave with a very calm expression. Once in a while she will draw in a deep breath and say, "Let it go!" And I listen, and I hear her.
We have worked together for several years and have been more than friends. I have a wonderful brother, and really never yearned for a sister, but I was given a sister in Wilson. She truly is family to all of us. We have traveled to my hometown just because she wanted to see where I came from! Plans for a trip to her stomping grounds in Louisiana are in the works.
We have laughed together, ranted about our frustrations and disappointments, celebrated together, sometimes just for the sake of celebrating. We have mourned together. There have been times she has come in early to work just so we can talk. I have called her when my world seemed to be falling apart and asked her come over; she was there. When my dad was dying and it seemed to be the darkest hour of my life, I called her from the hospital waiting room. I have no idea what time it was. I remember telling her "I can't stand this!" Wilson' response was, "Yes, you can, I am right here." At that moment, 300 miles meant nothing. She was right there with me. She stayed on the phone until I was calm and reassured that I could stand what was happening. Then the next week, she took off work, with three other of our close friends, and they drove that 300 miles to come be with me and my family for Daddy's funeral Mass!
Wilson is a city girl, a "Jake Hartnett honorary" homecoming queen, a mother, a wife, a teacher, a law-degree recipient, a great convention roommate, my compass on the days I am swamped with papers to grade, lessons to write, and self-induced stress. She doesn't blink when I tear up in anger and frustration. Her sense of humor has brightened many a dreary morning, and her level-headed approach to seemingly impossible tasks is a constant inspiration.
This woman has taught me to let grudges go, to accept that I am human and I have flaws, that it is okay to accept help and even ask for it, and I have no responsibility to be perfect. I have laughed, cried, cussed, partied, celebrated, and mourned with this strong, loving, amazing sister. Today, when Wilson walks across that commencement stage and receives her Masters Degree, I might not be in that stadium, but I will be "right there".
Congratulation, Wilson!
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