The people we surround ourselves with

On Friday in reaction to the tragedy in Aurora, Mollie posted on Facebook:

"It’s hard to believe that someone would take it upon themselves to decide the mortality of others. I’m extremely blessed to be surrounded by a lot of quality people in my life, and often forget how ugly the world can be. Thoughts and prayers go out to the Aurora community"

It got me to thinking about the truth she expressed there. She has always been surrounded by high quality people. We both have been blessed by them. Some of them have been a conscious choice, like the community we live in and the church we attend. But many of them have just fallen into our laps over time, like the three young me that she started kindergarten with. On the first day she was placed at the table with Daniel, Nathan and Taylor. They acted as her guy posse for the entire time she was in school. Daniel goes to a nearby college and Nathan and Taylor are visited often. Then there is the AFJROTC group that were amassed at random and became like family. It's true that we chose where we lived for her to be able to attend that program. I know that commanders and knew that they would be a positive influence on her, but the friendships that she made during those four years

of her life have enriched her tremendously.  She stumbled into her first job, and met an amazing organization attempting to create a new franchise. With six restaurants in the Atlanta area, they are succeeding. They are teaching her what it takes to be successful. She is right, as she often is. We have been very blessed to live in a community where all doors don't need to be locked. Where the people around us really care about us. We are blessed.