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Fancy hides a lot, while simple unapologetically puts it out there for everyone to see.
But I love giving out compliments, not kiss-ass, brown nose, I-just-want-to-make-you-feel-good compliments, but genuine, no bullshit, I-mean-it-because-I-feel-it-in-my-heart compliments.
I remind myself the pain in my exhausted muscles isn't pain, it's life. And life feels divine. Every day, every minute, every second.
Discovering something new is like magic. Music is out there to be heard, and I am of the opinion that as many people as possible should hear it. All of it. Because music is powerful. It connects people.
I know it's weird, but I like to think of God as my homeboy. I'm not religious; I just talk to him a lot. I ask for a lot of favors. Sometimes things go my way, sometimes they don't. That's life. You just have to make the most of it.
And considering laughter is like oxygen to me, I really needed it. I medicate with it. I found two people who make me laugh, like tears-in-my-eyes, almost-wet-my-pants laugh. Those are the kind of people I like to be around. And now I have two. Lucky me.
"You're going to get a lot of attention up there. Guys are going to be throwing themselves at you. Be selective, because you deserve so much more than some random dude fucking you in the back of a van or your best friend in his mom's guest room."
"No, Bright Side, listen, you are so special. You deserve someone who takes you out on real dates. Someone who buys you flowers and shit. Because if there's anyone in this world who's capable of insane amounts of love and who deserves to be loved that way in return, it's you."
I hear the love for him in her voice. It makes my heart happy when people feel that kind of love. It's rare. People don't take the time to find it. Or they let it go too easily. Or they don't know how precious it is when they have it.
Reading is an escape from the outside world. Everyone needs a little of that to keep their sanity.
"Do epic,"
but the best part of Gus…is Gus. The Gus who has always been my best friend, the Gus who I surfed with, the Gus who bought Twix bars for Grace, the Gus who let me cry on his shoulder on the worst day of my life, the Gus who teases me relentlessly, but who also encourages me just as much. Gus.
I've always been pretty good at accepting the whole of someone, the good with the bad. I see it all but try not to let it cloud my judgment. People are complicated. Life is complicated."
"I'm not saying you shouldn't pursue dreams and goals. Just don't forsake the present for the unknowns of the future. A lot of happiness is bypassed, overlooked, postponed to a time years from now that may never come. Don't bide your time and miss out on this moment for a tomorrow with no guarantee."
I smile for many, many miles. Compliments don't typically sustain me, but sometimes when the right person throws one at you, it goes a long way. I could live off what he's just said for weeks.
Some people excel in the art of hugging. They somehow manage to hug you with their whole being, not just their arms. Their warmth surrounds every inch of you. It makes you feel cherished and comforted.
That's one of the best things about Katie; she never takes anything for granted. She appreciates it all.
I suck in a breath and shudder. "It hurts." I wait. "She was my world. Do you know what it's like to be blessed with someone so special, to love them so much it hurts, and then have them taken from you forever?"
I take pride in being a good friend. Because in life, that's really all that matters, people. And treating them well, being there for them, that's being a good friend.
"My God, Keller, that was incredible. That's it. It's official. I'm going to hell." I smile because I can't help myself. No one can ever take this from me. "I'd follow you there." "No need to follow. Take your time, I'll wait for you." She entices me with a soft kiss.
"I don't want to leave you either, Keller, but that's how my story ends. I feel like the luckiest girl on Earth. I get to spend my last months with you, to love you, and be loved by you. I never thought I'd have that. What a blessing you are."
Gus continues. "She's the poster child for positivity. She's a freaking ray of sunshine. She doesn't just look on the bright side…she lives there."
"Facebook is the decline of civilization as we know it. It's creating a distorted view of reality. What happened to preferring the company of flesh and blood? People don't realize how important face-to-face human contact is anymore. It's all about numbers and 'likes' and too much information. Do I care that you had a Diet Coke and a bag of Sun Chips while you watched a rerun of CSI last night? No, I don't fu— I don't care. Give me some substance. The entire sphere of your all-encompassing 'friends' family doesn't need to be privy simultaneously to the mundane details of your life…your sad,
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"She's a fucking fighter, that little woman.
"That's because it's Bright Side we're talking about. The girl never complains. She hates it when people feel sorry for her. I bet if you woke her up right now and asked her about her cancer, she'd tell you that there's someone out there who's worse off than she is. That's Bright Side."
"Remember how we talked about me coming home when it gets to be too much?" "Of course, yes." "I think it's almost time."
"I love how passionate you are about the important things in life. Like sunsets." He smiles. "And people."
your courage has proven to me time and time again that life isn't easy for anyone. We all have to fight to make the most of the life we're given.
I sincerely wish we were all somewhere else today. Doing anything but this, because funerals are a downer, and they suck. But since you've all been nice enough to gather together for me, I'd like to take this opportunity to lay down some ground rules. These rules go into effect this very moment and do not expire until you do. Number one: Don't cry for me. I had the most amazing life. It was worth celebrating, if I do say so myself; so when you think of me, smile, laugh, be happy. No crying. Number two: Live every day as if it's your last. I know that's cliché, and you probably think I read it
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Just when you think you know someone, they change. Or you change. Or maybe you both change. And that changes everything.
The happiness, the thoughtfulness, the humor was part of her, but it was also deliberate, a conscious choice.
You are brave… Now go…do epic!
