Reverb 10 #16 - Friendship

Friendship: how has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this a gradual change or a sudden burst?

It wasn't a friend who changed my perspective on this but it was the nun who helps run the St. Bernard Project. She talked about the people who lived in St. Bernard's Parish and how most of the people never left. They went to school, got their jobs, got married, started their families and lived close to their relatives.

Growing up, I always wanted to just leave. I didn't want to stay in the same place and I never understood why anyone would stay where they grew up. Why not go out and explore the world? Why settle in the same city you grew up in when there is so much out there to see? I also got a bit snobby about it. I'm kind of snot when I get something in my head.

But I don't know. Something about how she said it that day, as we sat in that stuffy back area on the low bleachers looking at all the messages people wrote before heading out to rebuild houses, that just stuck. It opened my eyes to why people stay.

My sister stayed in SD. My brother says in SD. My cousins are there. They all live close to each other and if they need help, they call each other. The other day, my ate, who is 8 months pregnant, lost the feeling in her legs at Costco. She had my nephew with her and she just couldn't move. So, she ended up calling our brother, who picked her up and took her to the hospital. (She's ok btw). But there are things that you sacrifice when you leave. And of course, there are things that you sacrifice when you go.

But I think, now I get it...