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“I know you’re thinking, ‘anyone could have done it,’ and you’re right, everyone can, just not everyone does… But you did, you do…”

It’s a quote from my book about friendship. It’s something, to be lifted by someone. Sometimes it’s obvious, a full body wrap around the waist, holding you up. Or just as easily it could be a smile. A wave. A Wordle score sent daily. And the thing is, we get to decide, and then do it! 

And it’s easy to get stuck on, “Well someone should…” — and then you realize, I am someone. Someone who can. I suppose it’s as simple as, if you want to get an email, you need to send one. The same goes for a hug. A hand. A heart. Because the roles can and will be reversed, at any given moment. 

If you’re expecting someone to help lift your dreams, you have to be willing to dream them. Maybe it sounds risky to some, but I think the real risk is in doing nothing.  And so I painted this woman. Long before I knew she would be larger than life on The Great Wall of Honesdale. But she has been lifted. And so have I. I hope just seeing her, it does the same for you. We can all be dreamers. Givers. Friends. I don’t want to miss out on any of it. 

When you see her on that wall, or in the mirror, I want you to think, to know, “You did!  You do!”