While copying photos to a CD this morning (I know!! So tech-y of me!!), I came across this picture that was taken of my best-friend-since-kindergarten, Tania, and her brother, John.
This photo was taken on March 3, 2007 at a benefit dinner/dance/auction/good time in John's honor. John suffers from a mysterious illness that has completely taken over his entire body. Testing has ruled out a multitude of genetic disorders, although his symptoms had led doctors to believe he had suffered from Juvenile Parkinson's Disease for a matter of time.
The entire Rebelo family has been through so much together in the past 9 years, trying to understand and cope with John's ailment. I really can't imagine having had to struggle like that for so long. Details come to me few and far between, and honestly, I try not to bother asking too many questions. I have always tried to be the kind of friend who is there when you need to talk or have someone listen. Being pushy is not my forte.
Really, I couldn't tell you what inspired me to post about this today. Although it certainly isn't the best photo I've ever taken, it is definitely one of my favorites. It shows me what it really means to truly, unconditionally love someone.
Tania has always been my strong friend. My reality check friend. My Melissa-why-do-you-let-people-walk-all-over-you friend. My you-don't-have-to-do-this-lets-just-get-in-the-car-and-drive-and disappear-for-a-week-you-know-your-mom-will-take-care-of-griffin friend. My Melissa-will-you-just-help-me-with-the-first-and-last-paragraphs-of-my-thesis-that-is-due-fifth-period friend. She is honest and blunt and hilarious and loyal and dedicated. She is the friend I know will always be there, no matter what stupid choice I make. While she might think I'm being an absolute lunatic, she'll let me know, in no uncertain terms, her opinion - and let me make my mistakes. She lets me be me. She doesn't ask for anything in return (except maybe a pedicure or a hair-do once in a while :). She has seen me through all of my ups and downs, and will see me through many more.
Tania, above any other friend, has led me to realize a lot about life and the way it should be lived. Life lessons, I guess you could call them.
Don't care about what other people think about you (I'm still working on this one!!)
Don't waste your time trying to be something you're not (I've really made progress with this)
There isn't much that a trip to Friendly's for an ice cream won't fix (there are actually a lot of Friendly's-related lessons that have been learned, but they're much better kept between Tania and myself!!)
The importance of retail therapy :)
Ther
e are so many things I could say about this amazing person in my life. Maybe I will dig a little deeper into my stash of old photos and find some more embarrassing images from our journey together. Maybe I will post more stories about my best friend. Maybe I will call her and tell her how much she means to me, for no apparent reason. But for now, I will leave you with this most important statement to my best-friend-since-kindergarten:
Thank you.