"Story From A New Friend"

Last night changed my life. I visited an event that caught my attention simply because of its name “story from a new friend.”  when I walked in, someone said the event moved up two months because due to the speaker’s battle w/ als, they weren’t sure how long she had left to live. That put me into shock. Just as they pointed her out (a young woman w/a cane in a pink dress), she was making her way toward me w/a notebook. Als had apparently taken her ability to use her mouth to speak, because she scribbled “thank you billy,” and then gave me a hug. I was numb.

That’s me and her above. Her name is anne marie. She is a super smart, funny sweetheart who might be the strongest person I ever met.  I don’t know if you can tell by my face, but to be honest, I didn’t know how to feel.  I was sad and scared at first talking to someone I was told would soon be gone, yet I quickly began to chuckle words back to her as she scribbled funny things about what we had in common, how our lives have crossed in the past, and if she gave me a pair of underwear that promoted her blog, www.kissmyals.com, would I wear it. (I said yes of course! And I am promoting it now)

I learned a lot. She was an executive coach for powerful business people and companies, a ballerina, a sommelier, and so much more… even though she couldn’t do any of that anymore because of als, she somehow showed all of us in a powerpoint speech she gave (unable to talk) how she was so empowered, happy, enlightened, positive,… even when she broke down crying in front of us (broke my heart) during parts that showed the reality of what happens to those diagnosed w/ als, she recovered fast & furious w/a smile, and her strength, optimism and focus became contagious… and a lesson in life.

Imagine standing there being told how not to waste time & your life, while you have it, from someone dying. It was chilling, so true, wont forget it, and I am changing a lot of how I live my life because of it. thank you anne marie my new friend for your story. Oh, she had a request, connect with her, find her, on her blog above, on facebook, twitter, say hi… for me. (and ask her how you can get the speech she gave… so wonderful, sorry delivering it myself doesn’t do it justice, it takes hearing it from her posititon)

Anne marie you are absolutely amazing.  And to you “story of a new friend,” it was a pleasure hosting your event, thank you for creating such an inspirational series.

(((Updated June 3rd :: The next series of Story from a New Friend will be next Friday, June 11th at The Underground (56 W Illinois) featuring Malachi Leopold and his documentary; “Everyone Has a Story.” visit www.anewfriend.org for more info.)))