It is my great privilege to count amongst my circle of friends two amazing women in their 20’s. Both of them have incredible futures ahead of them, and I can’t wait to bear witness. I am in awe of both of them, because they really seem to have it together, at least much more so than I ever did at their age.
I met Martine in the virtual world of Second Life when she sang at my birthday party. She has the voice of an angel. But we really bonded in the face of tragedy. A Haitian-American, she was affected personally by the earthquake in Haiti. For weeks she didn’t know the fate of many of her relatives, and I couldn’t let her go through that alone. So we got together and raised $2,000 in Second Life to donate to the cause. We both spent many sleepless nights working on these fundraising events, and I was proud of her beyond words.
Martine is deeply religious, extremely intelligent, and knows the importance of family. She’s a compassionate woman who will always be a positive force in this world. She is living proof that her generation is not stereotypically self-absorbed. She will make a difference, and leave the planet a much better place for her efforts.
Alicia was my yoga instructor for a year and a half while I was living in Vero Beach and going to school. To say that this girl is cool is putting it mildly. She has her own style and a unique way of expressing herself that I admire a great deal. She is very comfortable in her own skin and has the tattoos to prove it. She is all about healthy living, and is constantly working toward her own enlightenment. She shares her wisdom through her yoga classes, and like Martine, she has a heart as big as all outdoors.
Alicia is spiritually grounded, and as a single mom, she nurtures those around her. In spite of her busy life, she still found the time to be present for me during the scattering of my boyfriend’s ashes, and I will be forever grateful to her for that support. The thing I admire most about Alicia is she is open to whatever fate throws across her path in life. In fact, she looks forward to those things. I look forward to seeing where life leads her.
As long as I know that there are amazing people like Martine and Alicia in the generations that follow me, I have no worries about this world. Long after I am gone, they will be meeting the challenges that come their way and coming out the other side ready for whatever comes next.
Everything is going to be just fine.
[Image credit: twoleakingbags.com]
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