Macy Rae

Sheri calls her Macy Rae, her parents don't. But it's just not right for parents to give their kids nick names, so it was fitting that Sheri was the one to do it.

Macy, stayed with us this week and I was intimidated by her beautiful silky black hair and Ballywood eyelashes that batted when you said her name. She's one of those girls you want your daughter to be friends with because she has so much to offer. Smart, pretty, kind. She's a tender spirit, but ready to make that skydive when you ask her if she's up for it.

She was my best friend this week and it gave me a glimpse into a world that some new friends get to have every day.

When Macy came to stay with us for the week, she couldn't speak and was timid to shake hands. By the time her Dad came to pick her up tonight, I realized that we may have given her something too.

Only once did I fall into exhaustion because of her neediness to talk all day long, so we agreed to head home and crash early. We did, but she was up early tidying up the place and helping J.D. make coffee. When I woke every morning, she was asking what was the plan for our day. Unfortunately work was the priority. And... Macy made that pleasant too.

I had met Macy once, last month, and because she left an impression, I offered her a place to stay while her family was out of town. She paid back the favor a million times this week by being a good friend and as my friend Diane says, a perfect antidepressant.

I have to admit I got a really bad girl crush as the week progressed. We had candied pecan salad at The Wild Grape and of course she visited with two sets of ladies at the table next to us. Flirt! I didn't mind though, I knew she was going home with me. We walked through the Street Fair at Decker Lake and I got a little jealous because everyone wanted to talk to her instead of me. And people couldn't take their hands off her. Kids ran their fingers through her pin curls, Rich rubbed her "special spot" (only once did I think, whore!).

And every night I prayed thankfulness for having her near. She told me a hundred times, things will be ok, you will be ok... you are ok. And she got it. She understood my need to talk baby talk and give her treats and rub her ears and call her, "Baby."

Thanks Macy Rae. Thanks Mel and Amy and Laura for raising a future for others that need that kind of love.