A few days ago...while searching for some important papers...I discovered a box of keepsakes that I have not seen in many years. Taking a seat on the side of my bed, I began searching through my ‘treasure box'...not really sure what I would find hidden inside. One at a time, I took out pieces of my past...cherished memories preserved in photographs, cards, children's drawings and letters.
As soon as I saw the little bundle of pink parchment envelopes...my heart skipped a beat, and a single tear rolled down my cheek. In that moment, I was a teenager again...fragile and insecure...wanting so badly to ‘fit' into the world but having no idea how to find my place. I remembered the feeling I experienced every time one of those pink parchment envelopes arrived in the mail...knowing it would be filled with her words of love, encouragement and acceptance. I must have read each one fifty times, but it was never enough. How I wanted to believe that she truly did love me...that I really was ‘a very special girl'.
Betty Burgess Avery was more than my teacher...she was the first person (outside of my family) who told me that I was a person of value...the first person who believed in me. She looked beyond my ‘mask' that I wore to hide my broken heart and saw straight into my soul. She chose to love me and poured her love into my life, despite my fears and doubts that anyone really could love ME. She was my angel...sent from Heaven to rescue me...when I needed her the most.
Then suddenly...she was gone...taken from me by a drunk driver. I never even had a chance to say ‘good-bye'...never had a chance to tell her how much I loved her...never had a chance to thank her for investing so much of herself in me. I only had my angel, Betty Avery, in my life for five months...but Go
d used her to change the course of my entire life.
After reading all of her letters again, I decided to write one last letter to her.
Dear Mrs. Avery,
I found some old letters today...your letters...your love letters to a broken, 13 year-old girl. How did you know how desperately I needed to hear those words...as I never found the courage to tell you how much pain was trapped inside of my heart...how much I hurt. Somehow...you just knew.
Remember those nights when we stayed up all night long talking? I wanted to tell you everything, but I could not find the words. I even wrote you many letters that I never sent. I was afraid that you would not be able to love me if you knew the ‘real' me. I could not risk losing your love, because it was the most important thing in my life.
The day that I learned of your death was one of the darkest days of my life. I did not want to face the world without you behind me, cheering me on. I almost gave up that day...but once again...you rescued me. I kept hearing your words..."You are so special. I see great things in you, Beth. I wish you could see what I see."
In that moment, I made a choice to believe your voice instead of all the other voices that told me that I was worthless...unlovable...unnecessary. I wanted to prove to the world that you were right...that you did not waste the final four months of your life...that your life and your love changed the world (at least my world).
Throughout the past 28 years, your voice has always been with me...still reminding me that I am special...still cheering me on. When life is hard, and I am tempted to give up...I remember that you never gave up on me. In every moment of victory...I pause and remember you...and wish I could celebrate it with you. I know you would be proud of me...
Before I close...I want to tell you one more thing. You gave me so much...but I did not have anything to give you in return. In 1987, I gave you a very special gift...I named my first daughter after you... ‘Avery Elizabeth'. She knows why she was named after you, and she wears your name so beautifully and so proudly. Although she never knew you, she loves you...just as I love you.
Until we meet in Heaven....
Your Beth
Written and Posted by:
Elizabeth Nieves - Broker, REALTOR® -- The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams (A Bilingual Real Estate Team serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill NC and surrounding areas.)
Visit our website at http://www.elizabethnieves.com
Could someone please pass the box of kleenex tissues over to me? Thank you!
What a beautiful story of purpose and inspiration. Thanks for taking the time to share this with everyone.
Elizabeth, :(
I am sorry to read this, but it is true, we need to say or to tell someone how much we love, we care or how important she/he is in our life, but always alive, we learn our lessons very well, you shared and transmitted a lot with this blog. thanks
Ray Saenz
Elizabeth, I think she read it. And heard you. God would have made sure of it.
In our lifetimes there are people who are our "angels". Mrs. Avery was one of yours. How very touching that you not only hold her dear in your heart, but that you named your daughter after her.
How absolutely beautiful. God you're killin' me over here on a cold Wednesday morning now having to explain to my staff why I am crying.
These are the stories I long to hear. They make me believe there is alot of good out there. Thanks for sharing... now can you send me a box a tissues next time please
Elizabeth, This is the most touching and inspiring love story I've read in a very long time.
I'm so thankful that you had such a special teacher and person in your life when you needed her the most....she truly was one of those human angels sent by God to watch over one of the 'special' lights of the world~ you. ((-:
Jo
To EVERYONE: As you can see...this post came from a very deep place in my soul. I'm not going to respond to each of you separately...I hope it is okay with you. I believe that the post really speaks for itself.
What I have to say applies to each one of you. The reason I felt free to write this here is because YOU have all been so supportive and loving to me. In my 2 months here at AR, I've found so many wonderful friends...I've been so blessed. Most people don't have a place that they can share something like this...just doesn't happen in the 'world'. WE have one another...we are so truly blessed.
IF I could send ONE message through this post...it would be...LOVE ONE ANOTHER! Take time to acknowledge the gift of friendship and family. None of us are promised another day. How would you live your life if you knew you only had four months?
Personally...I believe that HAD Betty Avery known she only had four months...she would have still chosen to love me. YES...she was MY ANGEL. Whose angel are YOU?
God bless YOU guys! I love you!
Elizabeth-
I was gone to a conference for a few days and came back to yet another incredible post from you. Checking for your posts is part of my daily ritual... You bless all of us.
Julie: Your heart is so soft and beautiful. You would have loved her! She was so funny and so sophisticated...but so real. She was truly AMAZING!
You know...I still have not been able to get over our conversation. It was an appointed moment. I KNOW that! I love you too!!
I am featuring this....and NOT because you are my new Moderator, either, sis.....
To quote you,"This post speaks for itself."
I had a couple of angels in my life...they too, were in my life for
several months or years and then were gone....
God sends us people like that I think because he wants us to
know how He sees us....
HE LOVES US!!
\0/
Alex: You are just too sweet. God is soooooooooo good!!!
Michele: THANK YOU! GBY my friend!
Elizabeth, If you're not published soon I will eat my house shoes. Hallmark doesn't know what they're missing. You have a lovely way with words. Deb
Elizabeth, You were so blessed to have someone like Ms. Avery in your life and to have keepsake letters like that. I keep a box of old letters.. Just a few from friends and family when I was away at school..I get so teary eyed when I open them, all my family is gone and a memory misses only enough to make you cry.
Hugs,
Ginge
wow, very sad, yet happy story to read. Thanks for sharing!
Speaking of Love Letters, you should enter them in our Love Letter contest. iwiLetter.com (send real letters, write online) is hosting a Love Letter writing contest. Write your best Love Letter and it can become part of our growing selection of sample letters available for anyone to read or send in the mail via iwiLetter.com. Imagine your Love Letter being read and used by thousands of other Lovebirds!Submit your Love Letters at http://www.iwiLetter.com/LoveLetter
This is so touching...I have had someone in my life that influenced it as she did with you.
God Bless you and give you peace...
Ginger
Elizabeth, that is a beautiful testimony to how someone can change the path of another's life just by caring and believing in them. It is kinda sorta like what we do everytime we invest ourselves into the lives of our Clients and help them reach their dreams of homeownership. Whether you realize it or not, you are carrying on the work she started. Thank you for the post! It is beautiful!
This is so beautiful and we appreciate you candor in sharing it with us.
I love your writing! I am a sometimes writer on the side. How beautiful your prose! Thank you for sharing!