Meeting Meryl:

Hey Everyone,

I know I know, it’s been a while, no excuses this time. I mention it almost every time now how badly I feel for not being as consistent with my blogs. I’m learning every day that life happens and instead of me getting blogs out just to get them out I want to provide blogs that will be impactful. Sometimes that means me being in the right headspace and taking my time.  I hope you’re doing well. The weather has been wild, some days we get beautiful warm days and other days I’m wondering if I should wear a winter coat. As I contemplate what to share with you guys I take a bite of my cookie and thank God that it is Friday. I have some special things planned soon that I look forward to but I wanna know. How are you all doing? Have you guys been kind to yourselves? With so many things happening around the world I feel like the world could use more kindness and love. Not only to ourselves but to others. Everyone is fighting a battle we can’t see and I do believe that we as humans can be very selfish. When was the last time you thought about someone else before thinking about you and your problems?

I get that life is hard but wouldn’t it be more bearable if we learned to lean on each other a little bit more? Yes I understand that there are those that take advantage. But what about those that find it hard to lean on others? What about those that feel like they’re yelling for help but no one is listening? I know, I’m starting out a bit rough huh? It’s just so hard for me to sit still and watch others not care. With all of this being said, I’ll start to write what I wanted to share with you guys. So get comfortable, take a deep breath, and let’s chat for a bit.

This past weekend I went to Maine with my mom and dad. Let me tell you, there’s such a special bond between your parents as you shift into your 30s. Of course they will always be my parents but now I get to enjoy their company as dear friends. What do I mean by that? Growing up I only saw them as authority figures, but now I get to learn more about their past, their struggles, their strengths, and their interests. I get to see them through different colored lenses. I see their hair is greyer, I see new wrinkles formed around their eyes from all of their laughter. I appreciate their wisdom and goofiness.  When did this happen? When was this shift made? I don’t know but all I can say is that I’ve fallen more in love with them because they are not only my confidants, they are my partners in crime, my shoulders to lean on. Sometimes we take advantage of our parents and I see so many kids trying to make their own way out in the world that they push their parents aside. Instead of pushing them aside, why not try to understand them? Why not forgive them for their past mistakes, why not see what they’ve overcome and celebrate them too? Alright that’s enough about them haha let’s get to the real reason I’m here, Meeting Meryl.

My parents and I went to Maine, after some sight seeing and an important event we decided to go to Texas Roadhouse. We were seated pretty quickly and were just enjoying eachothers company when our server came. She was sweet, welcoming, and made sure we got out bread and butter (which if I’m being honest this is the only reason I came to Texas Roadhouse).  She would check in on us a few times, apologizing for our food taking so long but honestly we didn’t mind at all. We continued sharing stories from the past week and laughing, when she came by again I apologized because we were laughing so loudly and she mentioned that she didn’t mind. The more we spoke she said that we reminded her of her own family, she mentioned her Ba, her mom, and sister. We instantly clicked and suddenly someone we met half an hour before became someone we felt we knew for a while. She shared stories of her family, how she also has her Ba wrapped around her finger, and how we both make pouty faces at them when we want or need something. We didn’t know it at that time but with the sincerity and love in her voice as she spoke about her family and how much she misses them we could tell that maybe just maybe for an hour we became her Puerto Rican Family.

As she spoke about them and how they all lived in Albania even I began to miss a family I never knew, but hearing about them through her I could just tell that they are as special as mine. I couldn’t be any more grateful that though I could’ve been with friends I was with my best friends, at an awesome restaurant, eating the best buttery bread and sweet butter the world has ever known, Meeting Meryl.

To my dear sweet friend Merly, it was a pleasure meeting you, and an honor to have you sit at our table if only for a moment. 

To my friends & readers who are reading this blog; let’s be a little kinder, let’s share a smile, let’s laugh a little louder. The right people will always find you.

And so I leave you with this quote;

“I love meeting new people, I think everyone has a story to tell. We should all listen sometimes.”

• Kim Smith

Until our next unpacking, have a great day my lovelies!

Love always,

Janny Mari