This Is Brooke
 A True Friend Always Has Your Back

"A friend is someone who helps you up when you're down, and if they can't, they lay down beside you and listen." - Winnie the Pooh.        This quote rings a bell when I think about my friend Brooke. She lifts me up on a bad day, encourages me to do my best, and pushes me out of my comfort zone. 

Brooke is 5'1" with brown hair and brown eyes. She is the mother of two beautiful daughters. I met Brooke when I was in middle school, therefore, I have known her for about six years now. She was the nurse at my middle school when I first transferred from elementary school. Brooke loves having fun, is always being silly, and loves trying new things. 

Brooke allowing
young kids to do face
paint on her.
Fast forward to summer, I walked into the nurse's office at the summer camp I was encouraged to attend and my mind was scattered. I was having a hard week, year at that. I was thinking about everything that had happened the week before and all that I had to do that day.  A kind and gentle voice from around the corner asked "are you ok?". Now on any other day, I probably would have just walked away saying I was fine and went about my day. Although for some reason in the moment it stopped me in my tracks.  Standing in the middle of the office, which was a concrete square with a bed on one wall and a desk on the other, was Brooke in a black t-shirt and shorts. With her long brown hair pulled back into a ponytail and a deck of cards in her hands, she looked at me with concern in her eyes. A smile upon her face and her eyes sparkled as she asked that simple three-word question. While my brain was processing what to say, my eyes filled with tears. Brooke proceeded to pull up a chair beside me and listened to what I had to say. This tiny act of kindness during a time in my life where I just needed someone to hear me was priceless. Brooke never hesitated, she just listened.

Summer of my freshman year of high school, Brooke pushed me out of my comfort zone. "Come on it will be fun and you may actually enjoy yourself!" These were the words spoken by Brooke to try and convince me to go on my first mission trip. I felt like it was not for me and that I would not be of any help. Persistently, she continued to text and say things in public encouraging me to go. It was a warm, sunny day with only a few white clouds in the sky. I ran into Brooke outside the old brick building with stained glass windows known as the Methodist Church. With her brown eyes locked on mine, in a serious but sweet voice, Brooke said, "you know you don't have to go, but I don't want you to miss out on this opportunity". She continued to reassure me she would stay by my side until I felt comfortable. This ultimately led me to go on my very first mission trip to share the gospel. Even though I was way out of my comfort zone, I ended up having the time of my life. I will always be grateful for Brooke's persistence and encouragement.

Our Mission Trip Group

After I graduated high school Brooke continued her encouragement. Brooke exclaimed in a proud voice "you are going to make a fantastic nurse" with a smile from ear to ear. With excitement, she encouraged me that I could do whatever I put my mind to. No matter how many times I told her I wasn't sure if I could do it, she told me I could. She didn't want me to give up on my dreams of going into the medical field because she knew that I could accomplish anything I put my mind to.

My life would not be the same without Brooke by my side. She supports and encourages me even as she is going through trials of her own. Brooke is selfless, outgoing, adventurous, and encouraging. She is willing to give anyone the shirt off her back without a complaint. Brooke can light up a room by just walking into it. She is constantly pushing me out of my comfort zone and teaches me how to let loose and enjoy life. Brooke is such a significant part of my life and has impacted me in so many ways. I hope to one day become the woman, mother, nurse, and friend that Brooke has been to me. 

Comments

  1. Jess WanzorSeptember 8, 2021 at 8:30 AM

    Very good and very detailed anecdote. Told a good story, and could make the reader visualize what was happening and where it was. But I would just add some periods in so some of the sentences aren't run on

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jess WanzorSeptember 8, 2021 at 8:34 AM

    I also wouldn't say "This anecdote" right after writing it.

    ReplyDelete

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