The Influence of One

Who was this person who changed my life?
Who gave me hope in friendships?
Who made me feel like I was a real person?
Someone worthwhile?
Someone who has worth?

This friend
found me at Girl's Camp.

Remember how I said
All things can be turned to good
if you turn to Heavenly Father?
Well, I meant it.
I had turned to Heavenly Father every day
and asked him to help me.
Please help me
not to be lonely
and sad
and worthless.
Please help me to be a friend.
I don't know what I'm doing
but please help me.

I had been asking for these things.
I knew that I had to trust Heavenly Father,
that He would care for me
and that this could take time.

Time it took.
Months had passed.
Summer was coming
and so was Girl's Camp.
It had not ever crossed my mind to go
because we aren't campers.
I do not remember camping
EVER.
Our family was the
stay-indoors-eat-delicious-food
kind of people.
We still are
and it's fabulous =]

The fact that I didn't WANT to go
did not stop my Young Women's leader
from telling me that I should.
I told her no.
She called me
and insisted I go.
I told her no.
She then told me
that she thought it was important.
She even had a hiking pack,
sleeping bag,
and funds for me to go.
And so,
partially to get her off my back
and because she paved the way,
I said I would.
But it was really only to please her.

Well,
it didn't go very well.
Most of the girl's knew each other
and were already good friends.
I didn't have a place.
Being at girl's camp reminded me
that I didn't have any friends.
Why?
Because no one wanted me.
What a reminder to get
every
single
day
away from home
and the comforts of family.
I was completely alone
and didn't deserve anyone.

I wrote to my mom
and told her all about it.
She cried
and so did I.

About half way through girl's camp,
something happened.
Someone happened.
I don't know why
she talked to me
but she changed my life.

Her name is Kate.

I don't really know how it started.
I think she just saw me
and probably thought,
"She's by herself. I'll go talk to her"
And she did.
She talked to me.
I don't remember what it was about
but I do remember how she made me feel.
She made me feel like a person.
She made me feel like I was worth talking to.
She was and is the kind of person
who people literally flock to.
She's inviting
and kind.
She radiates light.
And this person
decided to take the time
to talk to me.
Imperfect, hopeless me.

She didn't think of me that way.
You can feel it when you talk to her.
She just sees a person.
She saw a person
who was worth it.
I saw who I could be
because she saw me
and accepted me.
She saw me
as a child of God.
And I really was
just a child
in need of a friend.

She became my best friend.
She will always be
my best friend.
Even if we don't talk
for seventeen years,
I know I can call her
and it'll feel the same.
I will feel loved.

I learned a lot from Kate
and from her family.
"No put downs".
Be courteous.
Speak kind words.
Be respectful.
Smile and have fun!
But most of all,
Show love.

I finally knew how to be a friend.
I could be like Kate
and just show love.
I could really see others
and treat them kindly.
Like a person.
I could reach out.
I could help them feel included.
Maybe someday,
I could radiate light.
I want to make people happy
so when people come to me,
they can feel safe
and loved.
I just want to show love
because someone showed me love.
He showed me
everyone deserves love.
Heavenly Father taught me
how to love.
He gave me an incredible,
personal example.
He gave me a Savior.
He is love.
Heavenly Father answers prayers.
He gave me a friend.
He gave me Kate.