Inspiration

I have a good friend named Megan. She is, simply put, the most vivacious person I've ever met. She's been through extremely dark times in her life, but she has such a passionate spirit, and loves things so extremely, that I know she'll go far. Currently, she is touring colleges on the east coast right now. She wrote this, after the "Love is the Movement" day. (Which is below) I know this thread is long, but what she wrote is powerful, even more so because it's true. I just wanted to share it.

If you'd like to get in touch with this lassie, send me a PM. She's looking for more people who believe in love.

http://cord.facebook.com/event.php?eid=7693997482&ref=mf

"Love.Love.Love<3

Okay. WOW This note is wayyyy long and I wish I could message you but I can't so I am going to tag you all in this note - While it is long it explains my mind and my ideas the best that I think I can at this point. Thank you in advance for reading this - I know it's long but I promise its worth reading.

.........................................................................................................................................................

I love fruit. So when I woke up today with my mom telling me there was really good looking fruit in the breakfast downstairs - it was quite the incentive to get out of bed. She told me she would meet me in the lobby - where my dad was enjoying his morning coffee and reading the newspaper. I stretched out of my bed and opened the curtains. Though it was rainy and foggy out - I felt good about the day ahead of me. I put on some shoes (who gets dressed for breakfast?) and went out into the hall. As I arrived at the elevator I noticed an older woman - maybe in her late 70s. We made eye contact. I couldn't help but offer her a smile when looking in to her dazzling light blue eyes. She laughed like I was crazy (maybe truth to that?) and asked me why I was smiling. I told her that I was happy. She asked me why. I told her because I had a fire in my heart and in my head and I knew that I was going to make a difference. She laughed again and asked me how I knew that I was going to - and what in the world I was planning on doing. I smiled into her eyes once more, and told her I was not really sure - but I knew I was going to because I had not only passion - but a group of people that were just as passionate, just as willing, just as on fire as I was to go out and make a difference. At this her eyes narrowed, and she let out a sigh - asking me where I was planning to find these people. I told her I already had and I explained the events of the last couple of days. How I participated in Love is the Movement ( she nodded at this - for I still had love written all over my body. (and on my toes I might add which is going to be a tattoo as soon as I get home!!!)) , and how the simple act of spreading love with a sharpie struck me deep. I told her how I had tears in my eyes swapping stories with people around the world who had done the exact same thing - shared their undying love with complete strangers. She looked at me - her sparkling eyes piercing through me. then, ever so slowly, she put her hand on my shoulder. Taking a step towards her our eye contact deepened as she slowly began to speak - And told me her story.

When I was thirteen - she began - I started writing letters to my husband. When I was having a bad day, a good day, or just a day I would write to him. I started each letter with Dear love and ended it with - "I know I will find you. I love you. I thank you. I believe in love" She explained how over the years many people laughed at her idea - thinking she was insane for writing letters to her future husband. What if she never got married? How did she know who she was going to give them to?

The night her mother died I went out to eat at a local ma and pa restaurant- it was eleven at night and the place was almost empty. I sat down in booth alone and began to cry - writing for the millionth time to my future husband beginning to loose faith in him, in myself, and in love. All of a sudden I heard the door open and a very attractive man walked towards me. I shuddered - aware of the fact that I was alone, bawling, in my robe, and delving my soul into a piece of paper - that I had just recently covered in doodles of broken hearts. I was 34, motherless, and husband-less and my faith was beginning to leave her. I laid my head upon the table, not wanting to be noticed. Hoping I would sink into the seat and disappear. Saying this - she broke eye contact and giggled.

I told her I knew the feeling. And she smiled and nodded.

I felt the table move - she continued.- and looked up. The man was sitting across from me. Before I could say a word he touched my hand with his pinkie and very quietly said " I believe in love" - nodding towards her broken heart doodles and with that he began to stand up. Alarmed, confused, and utterly smitten the woman said "Sit".

The woman's eyes glazed over. I knew she was back sitting in the sticky restaurant chair. We stood in silence for a moment. As we both took in the moment.

Needless to say - she found her husband that night. Knowing they were destined from the start the man proposed to her early on in their relationship and of course she agreed. The night after he proposed the woman got home from work to find her apartment full of sticky notes, scribbles on napkins, typed letters, and various other writings. She noticed that they were numbered and figured her fiance was behind it. She found the one that had 1 printed on it. At first glance she was really confused - for it was a very obviously chid drawn picture of a heart around a little boy and a little girl - though the girl had a question mark for her face. Her phone rang. She picked it up. It was him. "I love you. I have always loved you. I have loved you since I was 5 years old and told to draw a picture of the one I love." At these words she burst into tears, feeling a surge of emotion hit her body so hard she was forced to sit against the cool wall.

He came over that night - and they stayed in her apartment for days - reading each other's letters.

When they got to the final one the woman admitted that she was writing it the day he met her. The last words she wrote before he walked in was "But deep down I know that I believe, and that is all I need."

Inside of his pocket he took out a very aged and crumple napkin with the logo of the ma and pa diner they were out so many years ago. On it stood four simple words scribbled hastily with love.

" I found you, love"

As the word love rolled off of this woman's tongue she began to cry softly as I wrapped my arms around her fragile body. She whispered in my ear that her husband had died only weeks before and she was here alone - to meet up with some family. Tears were streaming down my face now as I looked into her still dazzling, but now wet eyes and said sincerely " I love you ". Amazed at my words she squeezed my hand and said quietly, yet firmly " I love you too, even though you made me cry, and miss the elevator".

.........................................................................................................................................................

Great story eh? It was so amazing. You may be wondering why I am sharing this with you. I must say I am kind of wondering the same thing. It was long - and if you read the whole thing I am proud and I thank you.

I am just a girl with a fire in her heart and her brain. I just want to make a difference. I don't know how yet - I don't even know where to begin...but I know that I am going to. And I realized for the first time today that ...... that this is real. The woman was leaving the hotel - and her last words to me were "I believe in you just as much as I believe in love". I was stunned. Because I realized how excited and scared and nervous and amazed I was.

Guys, I have no idea what is going to happen. But it is going to be good. I wish I could tell you a great plan that I have - I wish I could put this into action right away and although I can't I think this is how it starts. This is how it is supposed to be.

We are in this for the long haul. I am so excited. I hope you are too. I love you. I love you just as much as I love that old lady, and just as much as I love my kitty, and just as much as I love fruit (okay maybe a little more than the fruit).

Bottom line. We are going to do this. I don't know how. I don't know how long it will take. I don't know when. I don't know what. But I know.....I KNOW deep down in my heart, that what is happing right now and is not only history in the making, but a miracle at work. I love you so much. Don't forget it. Ever."

Love to you all.

Upon reflection, this should have had a more exciting title :)

Really inspiring :)

"To Write Love On Her Arms" is an amazing organisation. I joined on facebook a while ago and actually posted "Renee's story" on THIS site but not many people read it. It's quite inspiring though.

LOVE is the movement! =]

I'm sorry but I don't see this as inspiring, but I do see it as a kind gesture...

I've read the story about renee, and I found it quite uplifting that someone would battle the addiction that they were in, I think the organisation is good in its enthusiasm, however I still think that not everyone want to partake in story telling... to a complete stranger, much less a random one...

Its an emotive story, and an overzealous one at that but to me it isn't inspiring...

Cool

No, not everyone would "partake in storytelling," I don't think. Which is actually part of the reason I think this is cool - because it actually happened. The thing that I find inspiring is that human ability to reach out and actually connect with someone - and maybe make their lives better through that contact. I think if an individual or group (maybe like those mentioned) even help ten people out of a thousand realize that there are things worth living for, then that is a grand accomplishment. And I enjoy that people want to help make it happen.

Which is actually part of the reason I think this is cool - because it actually happened."

Duh, because the woman was like 70...If you go to any residential home, and volunteer for 2 days, you'll hear people singing.

Its a form of counselling...Which any tom, dick and harry can do, which again isnt that inspiring...And what made the woman talk, was you're girl's enthusiasm and love sharing...

Again, I do agree that yes, we should help those teenagers, who find their life too fatalistic, but again, I don't think it would be an accomplishment.

Maybe, helping those truly in need of it, may count as an accomplishment...

You don't find it even a BIT inspiring? You don't feel at least a little bit that you COULD help someone see life in a better way? Or feel loved?

Once I played a concert in a residential home for folks that were in their 70s-90s and it was quite depressing. It seemed like they were just lingering there and waiting for death. But music reached out to them. I think if you can help someone, anyone, in some way and if you're able to make a difference, no matter how small, but a positive difference, I think it's an accomplishment.

You don't find it even a BIT inspiring? You don't feel at least a little bit that you COULD help someone see life in a better way? Or feel loved?"

Wow, it almost sounds like you're assuming that my life revolves around me. Actually, yes, I do feel like I could help someone...In fact, you may say that my life revolves around it, on saturdays for example, I volunteer my time, helping my friend who goes home to home, being a care-worker for those who need it. Lovely people as they are. I help them, and in some ways help my friend as well. After which we go out for the odd drink...Although all I order is cola, but hey what the hell!

I don't boast about it, I do not also look down upon it. I am saying that there are those in improverished countries, that need actual help, and more so...

So again, I say that the story is not inspiring and not an accomplishment.

To each his own I suppose.

I think anybody helping anybody is an accomplishment. I agree that there are people who are in drastic need of help (people needed food, water, shelter), and ought to be helped. But there's also something to reaching out to people who are right there in front of you. Megan up there listened to a grieving widow who felt as thought she had honestly lost the love of her life. I don't think anyone should -need- to substitute one for the other.

I think anybody helping anybody is an accomplishment."

I think you're generalising when you speak of this, there is a difference between genuinely helping someone, and listening to someone.

I listen to the life-stories of the many people who I work with, I even heard the life-story of a man, who came here, at the age of 17 with nothing but a hope of feeding and actually helping his poor family living in India, and the man, is a clerk working at grocery near my house, yet, I do not brag about it. or state its an inspiration simply giving a lending ear or being nice to them, and start a casual conversation.

Your friend megan, was a good person for actually helping out the widow, who lost her poor husband, and I think its a nice gesture, however, bragging about it, and stating its an inspiration, isn't a way to go...

-she- didn't say it was an inspiration. She didn't even say anything about "helping her" at all. That's just my interpretation. Megan was merely inspired by the woman's story about having faith in love, and wanted to share it.

I would say yes, keep personal info within the conversation, but doesn't it seem as though that woman wanted she share her story? She liked Megan's attitude, and wanted to communicate her story to her.

It's possible. But there's a difference between talking about a positive part of someone's life, that's freely given, and a negative thing that's meant to stay secret.

I guess it doesn't really matter, either way. I just thought it was a lovely story, and wanted to share it. Carry on.

I think this is the most beautiful and inspiring thing ever. There should be more people like this.