Last night I attended my “25^” High School Reunion.  Yes, “25 years” That’s pretty cool for a girl they said wouldn’t even make it to first grade when she was born.  And one of the coolest things?  I not only attended, I could make it up the steep 2 flights of stairs to the ladies room breathing easy!  I was celebrating 25 years after I graduated from High School with special friends and classmates and I didn’t have to worry about a major breath stealing coughing fit happening at the first laugh-what a miracle, what a gift.  Just being able to be there was truly a gift, being able to be there feeling healthy, happy, and accomplished was a dream come true.

I realized that although years go by and life happens, true caring and friendship weathers the years.  Sitting with my friends eating dinner it was like we were in the cafeteria eating the pizza and steak and cheeses  My friends and classmates were truly happy to see me and so proud to see me living the way I am.  I was proud of them too.  And I was reminded that my disease, my sickness didn’t just change my life forever; it changed some of theirs too.  All of ours ironically enough, for the better.

There is something that one of my mentors Tony Robbins says that I truly believe for I have lived it.  It is this, “it is in the difficult times that we grow the most.  It is when we push through the difficult times that we feel the most pride and self esteem in ourselves.”   I know that I didn’t get to where I am today by myself.  I know that many a days spent within the halls and classrooms, before school and after, I was held up, piggy backed, pushed along by my friends.  They spent those moments with me; they helped me “push through”.

Some of my classmates and friends I got to spend time with last night I grew up with since first grade.  Some I spent whole summers with.  They all laughed and rejoiced in what I have overcome.  They spoke about how in grammar school every year they would make me a pillow in class for me to have in the hospital and my best friend Fredia would bring it in.  One of my friends joked that they always knew where “Dottie was’ because they could hear my cough.  It was not only part of my life, it was part of theirs and I thank every one of them for caring about their friend.

I was so blessed to have a group of best friends that treated me just like them-even if they had to “piggy back” me to the store (Thanks Erin) or wait about 5 minutes after something funny for me to recover from the coughing fit to continue the fun (Thanks Cheryl).  Thank you Fredia and Rene for the laughter before we even got to the party and every one we shared since we were little. Every single one of my friends there played some role in where I am today and it was so very nice to be able to say “Thank You” with hugs to all of them last night. Raelene, Gina, Karen, Wendy, Dina, Nancy, Betsy…..the list keeps going on and you know who you all are.

People where truly happy to see me, some were a little shocked too.  “She actually made it…Wow” Some have been quietly following me for years even though we have not kept in touch.  There really is a lot of kindness in the world guys-don’t let yourself be fooled by the media and all the television hype….take a moment to see a view larger than that because there is a lot of good and I saw much of it last night.

We also lost a classmate and there was a little shrine to him (RIP Angelo).  As a few of my friends and I approached it I quietly said “this could have easily been me”.  My friends disagreed for they said they knew different-many times I am not so sure I absolutely did-I forced myself to believe it but down inside, I knew I always had to fight to change the statistics and I am so proud I did.  Never, ever, let anyone tell you “you can’t” because “you can”.  Your Whole-Body Wellbeing is worth fighting for.

It was a great night filled with hugs, laughter, joy, and life.  Friends who shared wonderful growing years together and will always be bonded.  Everyone may have looked “a bit” older but the kid in all of us was still very much alive.  It was a magnificent night that I will hold dear for a long time.  Thank You Haverhill High Class of 1985.  Thank you classmates for the memories and thank you for your help.  And to my dear friends, THANK YOU for your shoulders, your hands, your hearts, and your words. No one can do it alone and I certainly did not.  I ask you all to take a deep breath tonight knowing that you helped me take many.

Carpe Diem until next time we all meet,

Dottie