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Happy Easter to my dear Laura! <3
A complete surprise from my big sister Shannon on April 17th, 2022. Her name is a combination of Abilene & Adelaide. The first means “land of meadows” and the latter means “noble.” She is my noble meadow. 💖
When I was in high school, I ended up around some girls that claimed that would make me into what they referred to as “boy crazy.” I was a nerd that stuck to myself, but I’d be very open around people I trusted. I was not flirty in the slightest, and that didn’t change - but being around them changed how people viewed me. Maybe even how I viewed others… It may never have been discussed by anyone in my circle, but I believe their presence alone was enough to give people the impression that they would have the opportunity to wow me and win me over.
One of the only things I took away from that experience was a little something from The Hunger Games. There is a song about a meadow, and its sweet lyrics are used as lullabies in some districts for children. It goes as follows:
"Deep in the meadow, under the willow
A bed of grass, a soft green pillow
Lay down your head and close your eyes
And when they open, the sun will rise
Here it's safe, here it's warm
Here the daisies guard you from every harm
Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true
Here is the place where I love you"
The beauty of this song’s lyrics is due to its rich composition in symbolism. The meadow for the main character - and many others that seek it out - is a place of safety and sustainmeant. There are places to hide and to hunt there, allowing for peace in the midst of ever-existent chaos around them.
Abilayne is my noble meadow, just like a reflection of the friend that gave her to me. Mrs. Shannon is a safe place to go and discuss things that I might not necessarily know how to ask - or might feel uncomfortable doing so. She is a wonderful Christian lady and a Proverbs 31 woman. No doubt whatsoever, not even on her bad days. She always apologizes to her family if she says something out of line, and she admits she is weak rather than pretending to be strong. God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness… and she reminds me that if you want support, sometimes you just have to go to your loved ones and confide in them so you can be lifted in prayer. Nobody can help if they don’t know, right? Good Lord knows I try not to show weakness and be strong for others, but even the strong need time to break and rebuild...
The way Shannon becomes a safe place for others even when she herself is in need of peace and rest is absolutely precious, and I am incredibly thankful and grateful to call her not only a friend, but my big sister.
Peace, joy, love, and mercy be with you and your family all the days of your life, precious healer. May you be rewarded tenfold the blessings that you have given to others, especially me.
1.15.2023) You and Abilayne got in some trouble with a vicious warthog. After escaping, she suggested you ought to invite the hog for a visit the next time you have guests, for it could liven up any party. You share a chuckle.
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