I met with a friend this past week who I knew in high school and through the magic connectivity of Facebook, became reacquainted.
When I first moved to Lewisville, it was the end of my sophomore year. I was scared senseless moving to a new please, and being that I was a teenager nonetheless...not my most confident of times...then add on to that my mother was fighting for her life, which she lost all too soon to colon cancer. I was definitely caught in what felt like a kaleidoscope. Just as I'd get a feel for something, it would change.
I didn't meet Andrea until my Junior year, but knew of her way before that. She was a very tall, very beautiful blonde and always smiling. As I found out later, Andrea was going through her own kaleidoscope of changes as she had been diagnosed with a severe case of Graves Disease (a thyroid disorder) and the life she had always planned to have, was abruptly put on hold.
Mind you, while all this was going on, I had no idea. Honestly. Her appearance changed and yes, I suppose I noticed that, but what I always and more importantly noticed about Andrea was her geniuness. She always greeted me with a smile...even when she didn't know me.
Very long story short, I guess you could say that disease is part of why Andrea is who she is today. We never know the 'why' of the curveballs we are thrown in life. We are just expected to deal and make quick adjustments. Most often, we don't make said adjustments all that quickly or successfully. At least according to onlookers who seem to always know the 'better' way or the way it 'should have' been done. Such is life.
Andrea took hold of her life and decided she wanted to do something that made her happy, which included making films. And writing. And editing. And helping others.
So last week when I went to see her for the first time in person since high school, I wasn't sure what to expect. We've been communicating for awhile via Facebook, Twitter and emails, but I had that feeling of when I was back in high school. "Will this popular girl even notice me?"
I had to be 30 yards away when I heard, "Terri!" as she saw me first. She was seated behind a table, signing books for people who came to see her. I was greeted with a big smile. Big hug. Classic Andrea. Extremely glowing, confident Andrea.
She is the type of person who inspires me to never give up on hopes and dreams. To own what is rightfully mine. To reach down further than I think I can in order to grasp that little something extra I need. She is a giver and multitudes of lives have benefitted just by knowing her. I count myself as one of them.
With all she has going on during what is a very crazy time in her life right now, she sat down and asked me about mine. In detail. We have talked about what both of us have been dealing with in each of our own little worlds through emails and while I would have understood if she didn't recall my 'drama', she did. When a friend walked away for a moment and left us alone, she moved in a little closer and asked, "Okay, I know you said you are doing okay, but are you? I mean really?". And while I wanted to get an update about the things going on in her world, it just wasn't the time. She was beaming. Family and friends around her. And I mean who wouldn't be happy with a giant poster...I mean huge...of the front cover of their book blanketing a bookstore?!
Her most recent book is out now and it's lovely...no pun intended. :-) It's titled, "Live and Let Love". Her first book is equally inspiring titled, "Note to Self". You can click on the link below to see her interviewed on Good Morning America this past February.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Books/video/more-than-just-romance-women-compile-love-stories-12840367
Congratulations on all your successes, Andrea. I am so happy to know you, as well.
When I first moved to Lewisville, it was the end of my sophomore year. I was scared senseless moving to a new please, and being that I was a teenager nonetheless...not my most confident of times...then add on to that my mother was fighting for her life, which she lost all too soon to colon cancer. I was definitely caught in what felt like a kaleidoscope. Just as I'd get a feel for something, it would change.
I didn't meet Andrea until my Junior year, but knew of her way before that. She was a very tall, very beautiful blonde and always smiling. As I found out later, Andrea was going through her own kaleidoscope of changes as she had been diagnosed with a severe case of Graves Disease (a thyroid disorder) and the life she had always planned to have, was abruptly put on hold.
Mind you, while all this was going on, I had no idea. Honestly. Her appearance changed and yes, I suppose I noticed that, but what I always and more importantly noticed about Andrea was her geniuness. She always greeted me with a smile...even when she didn't know me.
Very long story short, I guess you could say that disease is part of why Andrea is who she is today. We never know the 'why' of the curveballs we are thrown in life. We are just expected to deal and make quick adjustments. Most often, we don't make said adjustments all that quickly or successfully. At least according to onlookers who seem to always know the 'better' way or the way it 'should have' been done. Such is life.
Andrea took hold of her life and decided she wanted to do something that made her happy, which included making films. And writing. And editing. And helping others.
So last week when I went to see her for the first time in person since high school, I wasn't sure what to expect. We've been communicating for awhile via Facebook, Twitter and emails, but I had that feeling of when I was back in high school. "Will this popular girl even notice me?"
I had to be 30 yards away when I heard, "Terri!" as she saw me first. She was seated behind a table, signing books for people who came to see her. I was greeted with a big smile. Big hug. Classic Andrea. Extremely glowing, confident Andrea.
She is the type of person who inspires me to never give up on hopes and dreams. To own what is rightfully mine. To reach down further than I think I can in order to grasp that little something extra I need. She is a giver and multitudes of lives have benefitted just by knowing her. I count myself as one of them.
With all she has going on during what is a very crazy time in her life right now, she sat down and asked me about mine. In detail. We have talked about what both of us have been dealing with in each of our own little worlds through emails and while I would have understood if she didn't recall my 'drama', she did. When a friend walked away for a moment and left us alone, she moved in a little closer and asked, "Okay, I know you said you are doing okay, but are you? I mean really?". And while I wanted to get an update about the things going on in her world, it just wasn't the time. She was beaming. Family and friends around her. And I mean who wouldn't be happy with a giant poster...I mean huge...of the front cover of their book blanketing a bookstore?!
Her most recent book is out now and it's lovely...no pun intended. :-) It's titled, "Live and Let Love". Her first book is equally inspiring titled, "Note to Self". You can click on the link below to see her interviewed on Good Morning America this past February.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Books/video/more-than-just-romance-women-compile-love-stories-12840367
Congratulations on all your successes, Andrea. I am so happy to know you, as well.
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| Andrea Buchanan |
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