Ripple Effect
September 3, 2016
I really believe that people come into our lives for
specific purposes. Some come for a
moment, some a season, some for a lifetime.
Their purpose may be to guide you through, lead you to another, or make
you stronger.
When I entered college, straight out of high school, I was
anything but the “traditional” fresh-out-of-high-school-now-entering-college
student. Yes, I was 18, but I was a
mother, in a relationship, who worked. I was not your typical student. Add getting married my freshman year….I have
always been an old soul. I did not
relate well to those who really were traditional students, worrying about
sororities and parties, living on campus.
I did not envy them or begrudge them; it just wasn’t where I was in
life.
Once nursing school actually started, I found the majority
of my classmates at TCU were “traditional” college students. Young, straight out of high school, many with
Daddy footing the bill. I liked them all
well, but I didn’t necessarily relate to them well. We were in different realms of life.
I met Genia as soon as nursing school began. She was married, 5 or so years older,
non-traditional. She and I clicked
pretty quickly. We tried to align our
schedules so we could be in the same clinical groups. I picked her up nearly every morning and we
rode to class together. We studied. We talked about life. We complained about our bad marriages. We laughed.
I never minded being her ride as the morning therapy sessions were a
lifesaver.
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| Forever Frogs together! |
Genia and I supported each other through nursing
school. Edited papers; studied for
tests; helped with care plans. On my 21st birthday, she plopped a Tall-boy Coors Light on my desk at school and kept walking...like it was normal to have in class! :) Nursing
school is not for the faint-of-heart, and it was so great to have someone by my
side. Maybe I was placed in her life, but really, I think she was placed in
mine, to help me make it through.
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| TCU Graduation |
Genia became pregnant our final semester of nursing school,
and I became pregnant the summer after. We
had blonde-haired sons three months apart. We both got jobs, me in OB, her in
Pediatrics, and we kept in touch for awhile.
Big surprise, we both got divorces, too.
I don’t remember the exact dates, but when Genia’s son was
small, she developed breast cancer, at a young age, for the first time. She defeated that beast and hoped to be a
Mommy again with her new husband, but fate was cruel to her. Instead, a few years later, she had to
abandon those Mommy dreams because her cancer was hormone-based and
resurfaced. She had to have all the girl
stuff removed and go through cancer treatments for the second time. She won again!
Genia and I saw each other around town at kids’ ball games
and such, but we really reconnected over social media 8 or so years ago. Even though I didn’t see or speak to her
regularly, her impact on my life was never forgotten or unappreciated. After we reconnected, she re-introduced me to
her sister Gennie. Gennie and I became
fast friends, bonding over our mutual love of Bon Jovi. The three of us even went to a concert
together. Because of Genia, because of
Gennie, so many of my dreams have come true.
Because of that connection from the early 1990s, I have met so many
super-cool like-minded friends from around the world. And, if I trace back the roots, it’s because
Genia was in my life.
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| Have met so many cool folks because once upon a time, Genia was there! |
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| Gennie, me and JBJ |
Recently, after being initially dismissed by doctors, Genia
was found to have Stage IV breast cancer, again. Third time. In her lungs. She’s 47. When is enough
enough? So, she dropped her only son off
at college and now is back in chemotherapy, FIGHTING, hoping to defeat cancer again and
be present for her son’s amazing life!
Genia was that pebble, dropped into the middle of the pond
of my life, and the ripples of that impact flowed outwards. Genia, because of you, directly or
indirectly, cool stuff has happened in my life.
You helped me survive nursing school.
You helped me survive that marriage.
We watched our sons grow up at the same time. You led me to Gennie,
whose friendship has led me to some really cool (and very therapeutic
times). Genia came into my life for a
reason, for a season. God willing, that
season will be long.
You can help support Genia by purchasing a Booster T-shirt
today! TeamTimex
Rhonda
