2011: The year of a better blonde
My New Year's resolution is to think less about myself and more about others. I have noticed, and if this blog is any indication, I talk about myself a lot. Look at all the "I's" so far in this blog! Phew... thinking about yourself so much can sure be exhausting.
Anyway, the other day, after watching the amazing Zac Efron classic, 17 Again (watch it if you haven't - I swear it'll make you laugh!), I had an epiphany. I turned to my 16-year-old sister and said, "I would much rather have nothing and be with someone I love, than have everything I've ever wanted and be alone." I reflected on my Christmas, which was WAY too full of gifts labeled "For Victoria" and realized I am spoiled rotten. OK, I already knew this, but I never really viewed it as a bad thing. I was loved - what's wrong with that? But this time, I asked myself what I had done for others recently. What footprint have I left on this world? Why do people like me?
So it's time to grow up! That's what this blog is about, isn't it? Growing up? I look at so many people in this world - partners, mothers, organ donors, volunteers, best friends, even random strangers - these people will risk life and limb for someone, give of themselves completely and never once think about what's in it for them. It should be this way.
I also reflected on the homily given at midnight Mass at my church. The priest told us to practice humility. Everyone wants to be a rockstar, but let's think about the Biblical story... Jesus was, in fact, a rockstar, but he never told people. In the end, he will be remembered forever for washing other people's feet, befriending the outcast Mary Magdalene, and ultimately, dying to save the world. Talk about the most famous person in history... and throughout it all, he didn't think of himself once.
I'm not religious, but this really spoke to me. And with recent events (such as the breakup with my boyfriend, Mike) I realized that maybe if he and I had both set our egos aside and thought about what was good for the OTHER person, things may have gone a little smoother. Life wouldn't have included so many fights about the little things. We could have enjoyed our time together and all those moments that made us special. We wouldn't have been so self-centered, thinking "What's in this for ME?" Relationships are about the "us" and the "we" and nobody should go through life thinking about the "I" and the "me."
So this week, I'm foregoing the blonde moment. I'm not going to write about myself (Although, no worries, in future blogs, I will continue, as usual, to humiliate myself for the entire World Wide Web). This week, I'm going to write about someone else and how truly amazing they are. That person is my mother.
Several months back, and I couldn't tell you exactly when, because I was too busy worrying about myself, my mother was driving to work on I-77, heading to the Stark County Board of Development Disabilities. Throughout her career, working in group homes and organizations for individuals with disabilities, my mother has dealt with some tremendously hard stories, cases and experiences. I commend her for her work helping those who cannot help themselves. I have never wanted to be like my mother, but if I did half the stuff she has done at the age of 44, I know I'd be a better person. I honestly can say she is one of my heroes, even though we fight like cats and dogs.
As she was driving, a motorcycle carrying a young boy and girl was in front of her. I don't really know the details, but a van in front of the motorcycle stopped short. The two teenagers hit the back of the van and were thrown from the bike at highway speed. The young girl, who was about as old as my little sister, lay on the side of the road, barely alive. Without any hesitation, my mother, who had just witnessed this horrible accident, pulled to the side of the road and ran to the girl's side. She immediately began administering CPR, attempting to save this young girl's life. When the ambulance came, my mom rode to the hospital, covered in this young girl's blood. All I remember is my grandmother going to pick her up, taking her a clean set of clothes. I remember the exact outfit she was wearing, and although it could be cleaned, my mother never wants to wear it again. I understand why.
For weeks, my mother assumed the young girl had died, sustaining horrible injuries from her accident. Out of nowhere, as she was surfing the Internet, my mother found a blog entry that stated the girl was alive and in the hospital under intense supervision. After some hunting, my mother contacted the family and got to meet the girl who she had saved. My mom has since stayed in contact with the family as the girl slowly makes her recovery. I believe she woke up from her coma shortly before the holidays. My mom is a hero. She saved someone's life. Surely, that's the ultimate "I'm not thinking of myself" moment.
I can't help but tear up as I think of how brave my mother was that day. I don't think I would have been able to do what she did. I would have gladly called 911, but to jump right in and save someone's life? That's some heavy stuff. And to think, when it happened, I was selfish and didn't want to know the details. I brushed the whole situation off as "something I didn't want to deal with" when my mother was possibly going through one of the hardest situations she's ever had to deal with.
This is why I'm making my New Year's resolution. It's not even really just a New Year thing. It's a life thing. I don't want to be liked because I'm social or because I wore a cute shirt that day or because I have the coolest stuff... I want to be liked for real, because I'm a REAL person. Because I have thought about someone else other than myself.... and now that I say this, I don't even care if I'm liked for it or even remembered for it. Just personally knowing I did my best and gave of myself is all the recognition and satisfaction I need in life.
Taylor Swift once said, "No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind."
Once again Taylor, you've taken the words right out of my mouth. Here's to a New Year and a new life.