Cecelia

In our lifetimes Cecelia and I have led vastly different lives. I originate from the north, while she is from the south. I have lived in four states, while she has lived in only one. I have traveled the world visiting faraway places such as Canada, France and Mexico. While, she is most comfortable staying very close to home. I obtained my bachelor's degree while she did not pursue higher education. So, at first glance it may seem unique to say that Cecelia is my mentor.

Therefore, I could not write a letter to her that strangers would understand without first pointing out the obvious differences in our life paths.

Cecelia,

Thank you, first for being you.

Each and every day you greet the world with the same enthusiasm. You don't dread the sunrise and the coming day with the same sense of foreboding as most of the world. Thank you for helping me to embrace the morning.

Thank you for your hugs.

Everyone who knows you knows that you will come at them with a 100 mile an hour hug. You are always so overjoyed to see people that you haven't seen in a long time. Especially, now that I have moved and there are gaps in the times I see you, it brings me a sense of happiness to know that I have had a positive contribution to your life.

Mostly, however, from the hugs I have learned how important it is to show others you care.

Thank you for remembering.

Whether it is an important thing like your mom's birthday or a trivial holiday such as Valentine's Day, you always remember everyone. Literally, everyone. The thought you put into to your ability to recall and your level of inclusion is something that we should all learn from.

From these small gestures I learned that it is important to let the ones you love know. It is important to remember others on special occasions.

Thank you for your hard work.

Whether it is basketball, bocce, bowling or swimming you are always so dedicated. You are normally the first at a practice and the last to leave. Yes, I do know that most of that has to do with your mom. However, rarely do you complain.

From this I have learned to give one hundred percent, one hundred percent of the time. I have learned that if I work hard, my efforts will pay off.

Thank you for your fits.

You want what you want and know when you want it. To see you get mad, whine or cry is frustrating as a coach, mentor and friend. To try to make you understand that sometimes what I want for you, may not be what you want for you, at that moment. However, it is always in your best interest.

From you I have learned sometimes things just go wrong and tears are the only way to express how you truly feel. From you I learned it is okay to cry. Yes, I also learned that sometimes when you cry you get what you want.

Thank you for your failures.

It doesn't matter if it’s the job at Wendy's that didn't work out. Personally, that was their fault, not yours. A Special Olympics basketball, bocce, or bowling score that wasn't where it needed to be to come out on top. A swim time in your 200 free that wasn't fast enough for first place. You've always soldiered on and rarely does it get you down. Your parents taught you that failure is a part of life. We all sometimes fail.

From you though, I learned that it’s not whether you failed, but how you handled it. I now realize that failure is just a chance to try harder the next time.

There have been many people that have mentored me through my life from parents, to relatives, teachers and friends. They have given me guidance, walked me through tough times, taught me lessons that I may have not otherwise learned. But the mentorship I obtain from Cecelia is deeper and more valuable that those other life lessons.

This mentorship is one of embracing each new day. One of being present in every moment for only that moment. One of being open to diversity and inclusion. For being truly accepting others exactly as they are. Of being kind, not "trying" to look kind, but truly being kind. and of truly finding happiness.

Cecelia has given me plenty of cards and gifts over the eight years I have known her. It’s the gifts above that she doesn't know she gave me that truly mean the most. I believed I was a good person before I met her. After seeing how Cecelia lives her life, I am better person now, because of her. May everyone find a Cecelia in their life.