People: Love them, throw spiders at them but I sure know some good ones.

I have been burnt by several people. Predominantly 'friends' that weren't very friendly at all. Colleagues that didn't enjoy my promotions and some that didn't wish me and my opportunities very well at all. I wouldn't call myself successful. A lot of luck, loads of hard work and never settling. Never getting comfortable. Always looking for something better. My dad loves to tell the story about how they got a call on my first day of school - Grade 1. Apparently I demanded to see the headmaster and made them put me in a different class because I didn't like my teacher. On day one. I don't remember this at all, but they moved me. My parents had a very "just give her what she wants" attitude, which served me very well. They were good, fair and strict/ish parents about all the right things, but they let me lead in the things I was passionate about. They taught me that if you nag and beg and work hard at something: Eventually, you really will get it. Experience taught me that if you don't work hard, you will get left behind. 

When I was chosen as Editor of my high school newspaper - there were many angry people. I thought they were going to retract it because I hadn't been on the writing team for very long and so many members thought that others were more deserving. The Editor at the time said well "This girl had two assignments per paper, and always handed in double. She would stop me in the hallways with ideas and always gave so much more than was asked of her. She is a hard worker and this should go to her." Or something. Her name was Bibi and she believed in me. She doesn't know it, but she changed my entire life that day. As did Yvonne, the girl that handed the role of School Photographer over to me. Mainly because I begged. I nagged. I offered to help. I assisted when we were having our class pictures taken, I researched if we could turn an old biology store room in to a dark room, showed initiative, passion and I tried really hard. She changed my life too. Good people that I will never, ever forget. 

I've met a handful of people that were willing to stop what they were doing and help others when they really didn't need to. My English teacher, Mrs van Rooyen that would proofread my stories that weren't part of our assignments. That told me how she read my stories out in the staffroom sometimes. She made me think that I was different - that I had a talent. She stopped and noticed someone, and she changed my life forever too. I've never told any of them this. I don't know why. I think about them at least weekly and haven't seen or spoken to some of them in over ten years.

We've all met people like these on our travels - ones that picked us up from one path and gently placed us in the right direction. People that made you matter. Encouraged you. 

Honestly, I don't expect much from people. I've learned that humans are mostly selfish (myself included) in our daily actions. People are busy. Everyone is rushed and trying to be the strongest swimmer. I've been disappointed. I've been hurt so bad it felt like I couldn't breathe at all. And when someone stops and really stops to say something nice to another person - to help them, to notice - to make them matter. Those are the people that make life sweet and beautiful. 

Are you this person very often? Do you think that you've ever done something to change someone's life? Do you go out of your way for people when they don't ask and when you really don't need to?

I've met another person like this recently. One of the good ones. I mattered to her for a few hours of her life and she has changed everything. No matter the outcome, her name is engraved in my heart forever. Take time out of your busy-ness to notice someone else or to really help them - please. I will always be so grateful for you, Stacey Vee. Thank you for making me matter. You're all kinds of wonderful, and also very kind.