Amber's Life Lessons
1. "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." (Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen) Except in my case, it's any single, Christian woman, with a job MUST need a husband. With every person, over the age of 45, I have had the same conversation:
Oldie: "So, do you have a boyfriend?"
Me: "Nope."
Oldie:"Well, we can definitely fix that for you, I know quite a few men that could use a young lady, like you, to straighten them out."
Me:"oh...." (As I back out of the room, social anxiety guns ablazing.)
Oldie: (cackles) "You wouldn't be the first girl who's parents blamed me for keeping their daughter in West Virginia."
Me: (terrified, walking out the door as quickly as socially acceptable.)
I am pretty sure that I have had this conversation more in the past four months, than in my four years of living in Utah. No joke, no lie. I still don't know how to handle that situation though, so I'm stuck doing the same face every time.
2. Haven't had a bad day in 40 years. Larry, a volunteer that was here for a couple months, helping out around the Center. Would say that every time you asked how his day was, "I haven't had a bad day in over 40 years." It really struck me and I've tried to enforce it in my life. I've always been optimistic, but he helped me to realize that days are only "no good, dirty, rotten, terrible" days if you let them become that.
It has made such a difference in my life, my attitude is better, I am even more likely to let things go and return back to the happy state that I was previously in, it's been incredible. Life is too short, and too beautiful, to be ticked off, bitter, and miserable all the time. Take a deep breath, relax, and just keep swimming.
3. Live for the incredible volunteers. The past two weeks we have had absolutely amazing volunteers. We had a group from Maryland that involved two men Dad's age that take part in one of the most solid bromances I have ever seen in my life. In fact, it was joked that they have slowly eased the 'b' out of their bromance. ANYWHO, these two were incredible and it was a pleasure laughing so much, talking about life, and just forming a friendship that would not have happened anywhere outside of ASP. PLUS, they bought us Mexican food, is it possible to hate someone who buys you free burritos?
4. The families we serve become our family. The people in Appalachia have been so incredibly open to us. I have an adopted grandmother, an invitation to every Sunday dinner at my Branch President's house, and families that have adopted me into their folds. One of our homeowners cried the other day just thinking about how the other Lilly Fellows and I were going to be leaving in four months. It was incredible to see that she loved us as much as we have grown to love her. It's amazing how whenever I answer the phone with "ASP, this is Amber." I normally get a "Hey honey, it's ______. Can you tell me..." I love being surrounded by this kind of love.
5. Having ideas turn into realities. Exciting, yet stressful news in the life of one Amber Renee; on County Info Day, Car and I met a man who does Public Affairs stuff with one of the coal mines in WyCo who was willing to give us some money. After having lunch with him today, once again it was Mexican, the proposal is in the works! It's an idea that I generated where local volunteers serve our local families, in hopes that it will inspire, create unity, and form the kinds of bonds needed to bring Wyoming County out of poverty and this depression. The stressful part is that I need this proposal done by Wednesday so that Ryan and his boss can come take a tour of the Center and see some of our out-of-state volunteers at work by Friday. Talk about exciting stress, but mainly, I'm still ecstatic that I am creating a program, through ASP, this coal company, and the local community college, that will inspire hope in WyCo.
6. There's something about nicknames... I love nicknames, I feel like they show love, friendship, and a connection. Though, I've realized lately how much I actually care about them. On a "Get To Know You" sheet I wrote out for our Staff, I put that my family calls me "Ber Ber." No big deal, Brit and Goob couldn't say "Amber" when they were little, it still happens, just like Gabby is still "Goob" as a teenager. But, this week a volunteer thought it was cute and decided to adopt it, as well. It just was weird coming from someone I hardly knew. Segway into how in WV it's "Am" and not "Amb," like it was at school. Though "Ambbbbrrrraaappp" and other such names have occurred. This is a random lesson, but cherish your nicknames (the good and uplifting ones) and the people who gave them to you, because one day you are going to realize that you miss being called "Amb" or "Bambi" by the people who use to mean the most to you.
7. There's magic here in West Virginia. The kind that makes you never forget and always yearn to be here. All of the people who have suggested marriage material to me, have also suggested my permanent placement in Southern West Virginia normally with a "I moved here in '76 thinking I was going to stay in West Virginia for five years tops... I've never left! ahaha" It is kind of terrifying and makes me feel like I am in quicksand, but also, How bad would it truly be to live in West Virginia? I have green, I have mountains, and bodies of water, though none that I want to swim in. Who knows, maybe I do need to start looking for a way to stay in West Virginia. Though I would desperately need a location with cell service. This no phone thing isn't going to be a normal thing.
I am so lucky that I still have four months to spend with my incredible roommates, the families, and the volunteers who continue to inspire me and lift me up.
Love to all of you, I could never be who I am, or be where I am, without the love and support I have received in all stages of my life. I'm outta here.
Peace and Blessings,
Amber
