Dear friend.

Today is a new day.
Last night was horrid.
Dreadful.
Hurt.
Angered.
Frustrated.

Today I sit alone in an empty house listening to Pandora radio, Inspirational Radio.

Showered and pink parts scrubbed? Check.
Medication swallowed? Check.
Shakeology shake? Check.
Chicken and brown rice prepared by a friend eaten? Check.
Sitting with a heavy heart thinking of person dear to my heart, who has been there for me in such a special way, unlike anyone else for the past two years?.......................(check).

You were there for me when everyone else pushed me away.
You were there to run after me.
You were there when I wept.
You were there for me when I was transitioning on medications.
You were there to come see me in the hospital, even taking me to the hospital.
You were there to take me to doctor appointments.
You were there to pick me up.
You were there to hug me.
You were there to laugh with me.
You were there to cry with me.
You were there to joke with me.
You were there to love me.
Was your love perfect? No. (It wasn't expected)
Was it always healthy? No. (We are all learning)
Where you perfect? No. (Neither am I)
Where you flawed in and of yourself? Yes. (Just like me)

As you once told me, "Jason, you are perfectly flawed." (As you are as well)

It was for you that I say, "I am well, thank you." (as opposed to I am good, thank you)
It is because of you that I see Family Guy differently.
It is because of you that I will never again look at a hookah the same, without remembering the good times and laughs we shared.
I won't be able to watch Tosh.0 without thinking of you.
From your bathroom ritual (toliet paper, you know what I am talking about) to how you would annoy the heck out of me with washing your hands at the kitchen sink and slinging water all over the floor.
Those are the things that are remembered...and even at times, missed.

We have a choice.
We have a decision.
Many people allow hurt and pain to rip them apart and hold onto grudges, hurt and anger which are wedged between them that years and years of seperation can't even heal.

We have a different opportunity.
We can make a choice to be there for each other, regardless of what the road ahead brings us.

As we grow older, we realize how important people are in our lives. (Especially when they are gone)

I make the choice today to ALWAYS be there for you. (as long as I am on 'This Side of the Dirt')
I make the choice to remain when everyone else walks out.
I make the choice to be the friend for life that you deserve.
I make the choice to set aside my hurt and pain, exchanging it for forgiveness and love.
I make the choice to desire you to be apart of my life. (whatever that looks like)
I want to encourage you.
Challenge you.
Push you towards good things.
To pursue excellence.
Not to remain content with the status quo.
If your not moving forward to good things, the bad things have a chance to catch up to you, that you walked away from.
You were made for great things.
You were designed with a loving, compassionate heart and soft spirit.
Don't allow ANYONE or life to jade you and make you calloused.

Time changes.
Time moves forward.
People change.

One thing remains the same.
YOU. ARE. LOVED.

#Phillipians4:13

...YOU CAN BE ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST...