I have an afterschool friend. She is about fifty years old, and she is always ready to give me about twenty hugs before saying hello to me at 5:00 at the copy machine. This beautiful friend, ironically was at my YMCA training many years ago, when I first secured a summer job teaching at one of my former elementary schools. Though a chaotic experience, it was still a good one at that. It prepared me for the beautiful, yet messy classroom ahead and taught me some excellent life lessons. I remember sitting next to this woman. As we completed a YMCA training together, I could not help but wonder why she laughed at everything I said. Was she laughing at me? Did she find me funny? Perhaps she found the training as rather humorous? Isn't it interesting that as humans we even feel the need to wonder why someone is laughing? Sometimes I look back with a bit of shame at my younger self. I should have laughed along with her. Afterall, I'm sure she was just trying to get me to open up, loosen up and have some fun.

Well as it turns out, this friend is just a gift of whimsy. She will openly tell you she is diagnosed with a disability, but she does not let that stop her. In fact, she knows and I know what a blessing it is. Because you see this friend has the uncanny ability to be excited about every beautiful event that happens in life. She hugs everyone. She talk to everyone. She lets you know her feeling right up front. Her honesty is humbling. Her smile is grace. Her hugs are a reminder that life is truly whimsy.

Well today, this friend was extra excited. She still attends a local school. She continues to study and learn and apply these skills to her job at the YMCA (which she does with great duty and care.) Every day she tells me exactly what she did at school. Every day, her story is filled with energy and excitement. However, today, she was bouncing up and down and dying to tell me a secret. Her school had finaly secured a van. It was a silver van with brand new seats. This van would allow her and her friends to be driven around and go on school outings. For example, they could bring money to go out to lunch or go to the movies during the day. "We have been waiting for this...for such a long time." "I just am so excited." And she kept saying those words over and over again, "I am just so excited." However, she also admitted to being nervous. When I inquired why she responded with, "Well I just don't know if I will like it. Maybe I won't like being away from school for a couple of hours." I hugged her back and said, "Friend. You are never one to give up on an adventure. I want to know every single place you get to go to on that beautiful van." She smiled and replied, "I guess you are right!" Her excitement came right back. 

There is such innocence that is lost when we are adults. We complain more than we get excited. Not my friend. She has never lost this joy. She has matured, but her heart is still pure and innocent. And something tells me she is the angel of the world reminding everyone (especially me) that I need to focus on what excites me. Get away from the copier. Leave work behind. Acknowledge those silver vans in your life. Remember to hug, be genle and be kind. And for goodness sakes, let go and laugh a little bit. And do not question why.