Like the Colorado skies...

The year I was 14 was quite a year for me. At the time, like most teenagers, I didn't recognize how much that 1 year would change my life forever. In a previous post I mentioned, it was that year I met my husband. This same year I met a woman who became an instant friend and as a result, left an impression on me that will not be forgotten.

It was evening time. I recall coming up from the basement and seeing an unfamiliar girl and child in my living room. I don't know if I was introduced at this time, but I remember a beautiful blond lady in my living room, with an equally charming blond haired, blue eyed girl at her side. Soon I would become very familiar with these 2 lovely blond haired ladies.

I learned that the 2 had recently moved into an old farm house about 1 mile from our home. The little girl needed somewhere to go for about 11/2 hours or so after school until her mom was through working. I am not sure how the whole thing came about, but somehow my mom agreed to let this little girl come to our home after school.

The girl-who wasn't really a "girl," rather a woman-had the kindest eyes and a charming smile. She was tall, slender, and drove a cool car-a blue IROC. I believe it looked like the car in the following picture (I had no idea back then that it was a Camaro) no wonder it was cool! I bet it went really fast and was super fun to drive!

The car really wasn't that important, but I was impressed! As I got to know this woman I was very impressed. She was a single mom-back when it wasn't super socially acceptable to be a single mom! In fact, she had to go and live in a "home" with other girls who were expecting babies. I had heard about "homes" like that, but didn't really believe they existed. She was living proof that they did. Being a mom is a difficult job. I can only imagine the challenges that she faced doing it alone, without a lot of support from the outside world.

She had a positive attitude and was doing an excellent job raising a kind, intelligent, and confident daughter! Michelle was fun to be around. My parents had to go out of town for something and they enlisted Michelle to babysit my siblings and I. It was fantastic! She was just super cool and not a whole ton older than us, so she related well to each of us. I don't recall having any issues while my parents were gone-we just had fun!

Michelle coached my church basketball team during the one season that we had girls basketball. We were pretty good, but mostly we had fun! When I was in high school our boys basketball team made it to the state championship, in Eugene Oregon. My friend, Candice, and I decided that we really wanted to go to the game. Neither of our parents were up to going. So we started making phone calls, trying to convince someone to take us to Eugene for the game. Looking back, I don't know why we even thought it was ok to call and ask for such a favor! Eugene is like 8 hours from Ontario, plus it was going to be a 3 day, or so, trip.

We called Michelle and gave her our sales pitch. She said she had to talk with her hubby about it and let us know. Candice and I were both prepared for yet another rejection. We were totally stoked when she called back and said she was in! We left in the evening and drove the whole way to Eugene in her Honda Accord. Candice, Michelle, Karley, baby Brennan, and myself. It was so much fun. The boys lost, but we got to meet Michelle's sister and family. We went to the coast and had a great little road-trip. Seriously, that should tell you how amazing this woman is! Who else would do such a thing for 2 crazy teenage girls!

The most important thing Michelle taught me is to not judge other people-especially other mom's. Michelle was young and she looked young when I met her. She had a daughter who was around 9 years old when I met her. My natural reaction was to judge her and her situation-even though I did not know it. Plus, what did I really know about life as a 14 year old girl! As people, we tend to judge each other-most times those judgments are not accurate. After getting to know Michelle and her story, all I have is the utmost respect for her. Respect for her choice to raise a daughter. Respect for her willingness to work. Respect for her genuine kindness and love that she shared with all around her.

She did not have a lot, as far as material possessions-but she had what mattered. She had a lot of love for her daughter. It was apparent that she was doing her very best to provide the very best life for Karley that she possibly could. As time passed, she did go on to marry and have another daughter.

I know life has thrown her curve balls, but her kind smile and warm heart has remained. She taught me such an important life lesson at such a young age, I will be forever grateful to her!