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Friday, November 13, 2015

12 - Morinda

For the month of November I’ve decided to post each day about a person or people who have influenced my life for good. There’s no way I could include each and every person in one month or even one year, and for that I hope you’ll forgive me. This year, especially, has brought an acute awareness of the kindness and generosity which surrounds me and my kids, so here’s one attempt at giving thanks.

12 – Morinda


We met on a windy soccer field years ago, I’m pretty sure. Just some friendly, casual chat between two moms while watching their girls play a game. We discovered our daughters were on the same team, went to the same school, were in the same class, and were (are) friends. Often these conversations end there, but I couldn’t help but love Morinda’s energy and sincerity. And she showed a lot of interest in what I told her about what I did (acting, and working with Shot@Life). I hoped we’d end up friends. (My wish came true.)

So often when we see each other it’s at a school event and/or we are each swarming in children begging for every speck of our attention. It’s clear we’d both like, very much, to be able to talk, and then we kind of laugh it off because it might be another dozen years before we can, like, sit at lunch or something without interruption.

Morinda’s cool husband has a cool job that takes him to cool places, and last year they took their kids to Alaska for the summer. I’m sure it wasn’t without stress, but I think it’s so great they had that adventure together.

Earlier this year Morinda graduated from UVU. YouGuys: she’s a busy mom with a demanding schedule, and she got really sick right before finals and graduation, and SHE KILLED IT. She worked so hard, and she got it done. And then? SHE HAD A DANCE PARTY TO CELEBRATE. It was one of the most fun nights of celebration I’ve ever attended, made perfect by being able to watch Morinda dance as hard as she did. She danced off all that work and stress, and exuded joy while she did it. That party alone added to my determination to get back and finish school so I can do the same and dance all night like she did. Girl knows how to party.

Morinda is thoughtful, insightful, smart, loving, inclusive, hard-working, creative, beautiful, and talented. Conversation with her and just being around her fills my cup in a unique and authentic way.

Thanks, Morinda. I love you.

#IHaveAwesomeFriends

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