It is high school football season. The other day as our cheerleaders were preparing for the next pep rally I found my mind drifting back to my high school days. As I sat and watched, in my mind's eye I could see the faces of the Guntersville Wildcat Cheerleaders performing at a pep rally. As strange as this might sound, I could also feel the cheers of my friends and different classes cheering. I could hear Coach Lazenby, and Coach Pitts talk about the upcoming game. I remember cheering for my friends on the football team, Brett Smith and Chrunn Williamson as they came to give some inspiring words to the crowd. I could the cheerleaders singing "My Homes at GHS", which was a take off from the Alabama hit, "My Homes in Alabama." It was a great time. One of the cheerleaders made a huge difference in my high school career and as I watched our cheerleaders practice I could not stop thinking about her and our friendship.
Her name was Mollie. She was a beautiful young lady in many ways and she was my friend. She was one of the nicest people I have ever known. She cared for everyone and I never heard her have a harsh word about anyone. Most high school girls were involved in some kind of drama at some point in their high school careers, she was never involved and I never remember a time when someone had a problem with her. That says a lot about her, if you know the drama created by high school girls. She was popular yet humble, she liked to have fun without being destructive, she was smart, and she allowed me to go every where she went. She even allowed me to be her escort at homecoming. I would get dating advice from her and she would listen and laugh. I needed a lot of advice, I was not to successful in the dating department. Mollie and I were friends, she was my best friend.
I don't know if she is aware of the impact she made on me. She made be better, she made me feel good about who I was. I was a nerd and a lot of the times the joke at a party. I got a lot laughs and I even made fun of me. It was the best way to cover up my own insecurities. I think Mollie recognized this because she never made fun of me and she would always let me go almost every where she went. She made me feel important. She was so good that a lot times I felt like she needed me, when most of the time I needed her. There is no doubt that she has no idea how important she was, but isn't the best definition of caring for your friends. Doing it because you care rather than doing it because you want to be recognized for your work.
The lesson learned is we all have the chance to be that kind of friend to someone. No matter what we think we are impacting those around us. We have to take a good look at our motives and purpose for what we do. It can't be because we have to but because we want to. I don't why Mollie picked me, but I want to say "Thanks." I hope I can repay her someday, but knowing her she want expect repayment, because what she did is who she was. She was awesome.
