While I was talking to a co-worker the other day, we learned we knew several of the same people. Then she said one of the kindest things to me-"You have really good taste in people" It's true, I do. If there is one special talent I have, I am an exceptional judge of character. This is not be confused with judgmental. I am many things, but judgmental I am not. I attribute this special talent to my professional experience. Prior to being a nurse, I was a bartender and you learn a lot about people in a short time after they've had a few drinks. Then I became a nurse, and an ER nurse at that. Everyday, I deal with sociopaths, drug addicts, multiple personality disorders, and manipulative behaviors to name a few. Mixed in with these, you have the WWII vets whose pride outweighs their sense of reason and will insist nothing is wrong when you can tell they are sicker than any other patient in the department. You learn to pick up on a few behaviors. You learn to tell who's telling the truth and who's lying through their teeth. And after you get attacked by a patient. or have your life threatened on multiple occasions, your fight or flight response heightens. You learn whose company to keep and whose company to put away.
I made a very hard decision a long time ago to rid toxic people from my life. I read a quote once which said you are most like the five closest people to you- choose wisely. And it's true. I didn't want to be described as the nice girl who hangs with the mean girls or (heaven forbid) the opposite. So I walked away from some toxic relationships. It was hard. Some of them felt like a divorce, but in the long run, I'm a much happier person. I'm a firm believer in the "Golden Rule". I believe that if I expect anything from anyone, I better be able and willing to do 10 times more for them. I believe that if you invest in your relationships, they will nurture and develop you in the long run. And I believe if you surround yourself with wonderful people, you, too, will become a wonderful person. It's true, I have good taste in people. And chances are, if you're reading this, you're a good person too. Here are just a few of my "good people". Love.
It's true when they say there's no place like home. I love the home I share with my husband. I love having a kitchen full of equipment and a bed I once only dreamed of, but there will always be a part of me that calls my parents' house "home". I lived there for 22 years and returned home for a short (or not so short) period of time before JG and I were engaged just a few years ago. It's one of the few places I feel like myself. A place I can go to regroup, cry if I need to, and say things only parents understand. If you have ever met my parents you know that any amount of kindness I put forth is a direct result their teaching.
I know they say the older you get, the more you appreciate your family, but it takes on a whole new level at a certain stage of your life. Over the years, I've watched my parents transition from our bosses,to our supervisors, and now to our friends. They were, and still are, wonderful parents to all of us. (And I'm fairly certain my husband would say they are remarkable in-laws) They were strict, set their expectations high and their tolerances low, but they taught us to be the people we are. They taught us to be individuals who are kind to strangers, generous to causes they believe in, family oriented, and most importantly, guided in faith.
I got to thinking about how fortunate I am the other night on the way home from their house. JG was gone to the Pacer's game and I opted for a quick visit. A "quick visit" turned into 4+ hours, dinner, and a bottle of wine and I could have stayed longer. We talked about healthcare, the demise of our country, the Jodi something or another murder trial, home decor, and pizza pies and it was wonderful. It's strange how the people you once took for granted, become the people you look for to center and re-focus you in times a need. These are my parents. They are lovely, kind, beautiful, and brilliant.
