Hi, my name is Leslie. I'm Lizzie's sister. Lizzie still lives across the country with our Mom. She still goes to school and still works with the ladies in the kitchen. Lizzie is as tender and caring of a human being as God has ever put on this Earth. Lizzie would give a person in need the shirt off of her back. In fact, one time she did just that. Mom tried to explain that girls weren't supposed to walk about wearing only their bras. Lizzie's didn't understand. Mom chalked it up to one of those precious Lizzie moments.
I work as a designer for a graphic arts firm on the east coast. My life hits the accelerator the minute I get up in the morning and doesn't let up until my head hits my pillow every night. Days blur into nights that blur into days that blur into weeks that blur into memories that I can only remember by looking back on my Facebook page. I don't call Mom as much as I should and I call Lizzie less. I love them with all of my heart but life seems to be getting in the way.
Mom called yesterday to let me know that Lizzie's best friend moved away. Sam, who had practically grown up with Lizzie, has all of his chromos. Sam would play with Lizzie and bring her chocolate candy and talk with her and protect her from imaginary demons and tell her her clothes didn't match and take her shopping. Although they are both thirty-two years old, when they are together they are nine. No one, including our own Mom, is more protective of Lizzie. Sam's company relocated to another state. He had to go. Lizzie was crushed.
I could feel her pain a thousand miles away. I want to take her into my arms and comfort her. I want to brush her hair back and let her cry on my shoulder. I want to take her pain away. The thing is, I'll call Lizzie and she'll be happy to hear from me. She won't say anything about how long it's been since we talked or how long it's been since I sent her a card. She'll forget about Sam and put all of her concentration on me. Who will be comforting who?
Some of us are chosen to help others...even though life has been placed in our way, even though mental challenges have been placed in our way. Sometimes we need a friendly nudge to move forward. Sometimes all it takes is a phone call to get us moving. Sometimes it's the right thing to do.
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