When you least expect it...

Okay readers I am going to get a little personal with y'all on this one. Well, personal for those of you who aren't close to me.
Nine months ago every plan, dream and expectation I'd ever had in the past half decade was thrown out the window and my world was completely flipped around.
For years the obvious goals I had were to graduate college, find a job, get married, etc. Well slowly I began to realize I should have held on to some better aspirations for myself.
Back to square one with a degree and a continuing job as a waitress slinging out food and pushing brooms I was ready to escape.
Within a week I'd booked a 35- day excursion across Europe- alone. No friends or family just me and my soul in hopes of finding a purpose to my mundane life.
By the time I'd set off for Europe everything I was running from was a mere memory but it was too late for a refund so I pressed on and it was the best thing I had ever done in my life. And for the first time in years it was the most selfish and wonderful idea I ever saw through. Each day I developed a new friendship and a new sense of wonder for what all the world holds. Countless cultures, religions, languages and lifestyles that I'd never seen first hand, and that many more I have yet to see.
Since my return to the states I've done nothing but dream of the endless amounts of places I am going to visit next and when I'll be able to leave my hum drum job and this town. I had great expectations for my first "big girl job." Well folks, when something sounds too good to be true- it is! At least that was my mind set for the past four weeks as I thumbed through paperwork making useless copies and answering phone call after phone call and being falsely cheerful when greeting customers. Do I sound bitter yet? I swear I'm grateful to have a job, however, it is not at all what I envisioned myself doing at this point in my life.
Anyway, bright and early Monday morning as I'm cashing out the first customer of the day he engages me in the routine question round of my eventual career goals and dreams. So I give him my usual spill about dreams of editing and said, "Basically, I want to read for a living."
As I awaited the usual responses of sarcasm, pessimism or the occasional encouragement he surprised me by repeating what I said.
"Read books for a living."
I wasn't sure if he was mocking me or just trying to register why I'd said what I said. 

"Funny you should say that because I wrote a book several years ago and have been looking for someone to help me edit and revise it," he said.
My jaw literally hits the floor and I have to refrain from jumping up and down like a 10-year-old child and screaming "Yes!Yes!Yes!"
Now obviously this man isn't Nicholas Sparks (my favorite), and his book isn’t on the best seller’s list but this is a stellar resume opportunity. After all, a book is a book and they all need tweaking.
As calmly as I can, in that moment, I respond and tell him I'd love to assist him and look it over to the best of my rookie abilities.

He leaves to carry on about his day and I remain with a phone number, a name and a befuddled expression on my face.

So, that was my week. Obviously I call him and he will be sending me a file of the book soon and at some point I will be an editor of sorts. I will glorify the position because it is a step in the right direction and one step closer to my eventual goals and that is all I could ask for at this time my in life.

I just thought you should all keep in mind not to get too downhearted about your current situation. Life has its funny way of working things out and throwing curve balls and we only catch them when we least expect it. We also have to hit the bottom to find our way to the top, right? Patience is a virtue, and it is definitely not one every person possesses! Here is a meme that was shared with me by the most positive person I know and some days it really was the only thing that kept me going (yes, I know it sounds ridiculous). Have a good weekend, readers! Yamas!!! 

The Pink Lady

I have recently taken up shop as a receptionist. It's nothing glorious and seldom are my days eventful, however, I encounter quite a variety of people. Happy, grumpy, young, old, motivated, admirable, and even the occasional drunk. Since I haven't had much spare time to conjure up story ideas and try free lance writing, I decided I would give blogging another go.
Each day I am going to choose the most interesting person I encounter. Man, woman, or child, I have no preference. I just figured since I don't have a job associated with my degree that I would turn it in to one. Well, in my own way. I obviously will not be identifying these people by their real names, if by any name at all. That would be rude, and if I'm not mistaken, illegal. :)
My first "character," if you will, is a lady I met last week. She is actually the whole inspiration of why I decided to start blogging about customers. This lady is practically a walking miracle. I'm going to call her The Pink Lady.

When she walked through the doors of my work I gave her a generic, routine greeting. Her response, on the other hand  almost left me speechless (I don't deal well with confrontation or illness). 
"Well my feet touched the ground again today so I can't complain," she answered.
Now this woman is definitely over 60 years old and at first I almost laugh at her response, assuming she is just another senior citizen exaggerating how age has affected her health. Luckily, before I chuckle out loud, I notice she wears a khaki hat over a pink handkerchief that wraps around her bare head. It is only then that I realize this woman is a cancer patient. Scarves and caps are a red flag for women who are or were cancer victims.
As I continue to chat with this woman I learn she was diagnosed with Bone Cancer, stage four Lung Cancer and Leukemia earlier this year.
"Other than that, they tell me I'm healthy as a horse," she said.
Her humor through such pain is astounding to me. I am intrigued by her optimism and continue our conversation, trying not to pry. She informs me this is not her first battle with cancer. This unfortunate woman has already battled Ovarian Cancer in 2003 and in 2008 she had a double mastectomy compliments of Breast Cancer.Needless to say, this broad is one hell of a fighter!
She furthers the conversation by telling me on top of her illnesses, her husband passed away earlier this year. Now I am on the verge of tears. I am seriously befuddled as to how she presses on each day. Before I could ask her how she just looks out the glass door and smiles.
"I've got the Lord," she said. "I don't know how people live without him."
This isn't a surprising response to me since I grew up in the South where 90% of the population are devout Christians who always give thanks to the Lord and say, 'God Bless You.'
When it's time for her to leave she stands up and I can see she is dressed to the tee in her Sunday best. A colorful pink blouse with complementing heels and jewelery. This is why I call her The Pink Lady. Pink is a peppy, upbeat color and that's exactly what she is, despite everything going on in her life. Her personality is still pink and she wears it well. 
This lady is my inspiration for picking up blogging and really trying to continue my writing. Although I am not at my dream job, I am still only 23-years-old and perfectly healthy so I need to take advantage of every day I am given. She inspired me to put my self pity behind and write everyday. If a woman of her health can carry on each day, then I have absolutely no reason to not write every single day so that I may get closer to my eventual goals.
I will wrap up this first blog by saying thank you to The Pink Lady. I am not a religious person, however, I am thankful that religions and beliefs exist, regardless of what they are, because they allow people like Pink Lady  to endure each and every day.