Support Team Post #3 - No One Has a Friend Quite Like This!

It's that time of the week again. Time to share another set of thoughts from one of the people who has been part of this journey from day one. One of the people who has spent countless hours side by side with me at the gym and has truly been there for me mentally, physically, and spiritually, every step of the way. 

Do you believe in kindred spirits? I sure do! This person is more than just my best friend, but more like my sister - the sister I never had. Funny thing is, we've even been told several times we look alike and are often asked if we're sisters. You'll see, we look NOTHING alike (polar opposites in fact) but I guess it's the nose and smile that people say are similar. 

I know God knew we needed each other and how grateful I am that He crossed our paths when He did.  What a treasure it is to have a friend that will literally give, hope, and dream your dreams with you and then watch them come true and be there for you every single step of the way. I am forever grateful and truly blessed! Love you Tam.

I was there (a poetic attempt)

by Tam

I was there

When your body was saying

It's over 

A disagreeable vessel 

No longer following orders

Spreading lies

Through your mind

Stuck in frustration

But there was a way out

It took some convincing

Badgering too

(I'm good at that)

But you agreed

With reluctance

With fear

With doubt

And bravery

All mixed together

That's how you met him

That very first time

Jacob saw

What you couldn't picture  

Gave new hope to a dream

That wasn't over

But had just begun

I was there

When you had your first Jacob workout

Sweating as I do

But waiting

While you threw up

Outside the building

You left the gym that day

Unsure

But determined

You came back

Again

And 

Again

I watched you

Find strength

Find courage

Find stamina

Find hope in a body

That had never been acquainted 

With such things

Before

I was there

When you discovered bones 

You never knew existed

Protruding in unfamiliar ways

Many changes

Most you couldn't see

The beauty of your face

Always present

But slightly hidden 

It's true and intended shape

Appearing before our eyes

The form of your legs

Strong, shapely

Coveted by many

A thinner you all around

Top to bottom

Spectators noticed

They complimented

Left you with words

Though hard to accept

To hear

To be thankful for

To be the only one

Who couldn't see what we saw

How unfair 

For you

I was there

When your closet was bursting

With clothes you couldn't

Part with

Several sizes too large

You tried them all on

And were lost

In them

Hanging off your body

Dragging you down

Hiding your smaller self

Piles and piles and piles

Taken away

Layers and layers removed

Nothing left in your closet

To hide under

A quiet empty space

Left behind

Almost too quiet

Like something important

Was missing

Was erased

Was forgotten

But had to go

Room was needed

For your new

Self

I was there

When you made sacrifices 

Repeatedly

For days

For months

For what seemed like

Forever

So singleminded in purpose

Bulldogged and determined

Unwilling to budge

But willing to say no

To yourself

Something most people

Simply won't do 

You said it to 

Anything

That would slow you down

Even the smallest of bites

And sometimes

In the midst

of nay sayers 

Who couldn't handle your

Success

I was there

When you could finally picture

The new

You

I could see it

In your eyes

Once a clouded vision

Never able to glimpse

A goal seemingly out of

Sight and reach

The day you 

Saw it

Felt it

Experienced it

Was the day I knew

Your goal was

Closer

Than you thought.

I was there

When you met your goal

133 pounds gone

From your body

From your mind

From your life

No more to return

Each pound

Lost

The right way

Not only at the gym

But in your mind

In your thoughts

Where the hard work

Really happened

A new

And right way

Of thinking

That would last a

Lifetime

I was there 

When you crossed the finish line

Of your first half marathon

The joy of the journey

Finally 

Rushing to the surface

Remembering the day

When you thought

Four miles was

Impossible

You learned the power 

Of believing

Of dreams

Of hope

Of faith 

In a God who strengthened you 

To do all things 

All this I know 

Because I was there 

And always will be

Forever

(Thank you Paige for including me on your journey.  You've accomplished things that I personally can't imagine pulling off.  You've got a determination like no other, which is inspiring on so many levels.  Even more importantly, you've got a ministry that came straight from God's heart.  He must be so pleased with you and how you bless countless people through this blog.  Thank you for listening and allowing Him to lead you.  I will forever proudly be your one and only best friend.  I love you.  Tam)

Before

After