*SILENCE*



A long time ago in a city in the Midwest...



*BA DAH!!!*



JP's HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Episode III

Balanced Force Day 08


Stress! The college student is crumbling under attacks by the ruthless Sith practice, Music School. There are tests from all sides. Finals are everywhere.

In a stunning move, the wonderful Jedi Melinda Wolf offered to meet and temporarily kidnap the Jedi Princess, ready for some fun.

As the poor student attempts to flee the obligations of life and in the process loses valuable items, one Jedi Knight leads a desperate mission to rescue the depressed Princess...

*DOM DOM, DOM DOM*

Two years ago, I was but a lonely Princess slowly starting to find her way around the Star Wars blogs. I had made some friends and many acquaintances, but had no idea what was in store after a certain * sniff * tragedy. The wonderful JMW had begun her very special raffles that Fall and...I won! I seriously never win anything in my life & I WON!! I knew what my "prize" for the raffle was, but never in a millennia did I expect to win the true prize. A couple months later, JMW and I set up our very first IRL get-together in downtown Chi-town. I was nervous as it was to meet someone (however special and kind!) for the first time face to face, let alone without a cell phone to contact her and only a borrowed $20 to my name.

Yes, it was a tragedy for a poor youngin' such as myself! In a few short seconds, I found myself without a great many things. The downward turn my days had been taking finally culminated in what most people would see as a bad turn of luck, but what I saw as something I must have deserved. I couldn't escape the one thing I had gained: hopelessness.

I e-mailed a few trusted friends (several of which I came to know on this site) and received so much love in reply. Words of encouragement, (((hugs))), advice, and even a phone call from another country...and then there was Jedi Melinda. We spoke briefly on the phone (thankfully at that time I had a land line) about our get-together. I explained how awful I was feeling and that I might not be much fun, but how I would hate to cancel something we'd been planning and looking forward to for so long. We went on with the plan.

The next day, I went to our very public meeting place in search of my face-less friend. Neither of us had a clue what the other looked like and, remember, I didn't have a cell phone. JMW is an outgoing individual, but I happen to be extremely shy at first and downright terrified of talking to "strangers," so this was not the optimal situation for meeting someone new. People were everywhere and I had no idea how I'd find the one human being I was supposed to! As I walked toward the counter to see about our reservations, a woman turned around and gave me a beautiful, welcoming smile. I thought, "I hope Melinda is just like that..." After checking with the hostess, that same woman came up to me and asked if I was Jedi Princess. I can only imagine how my face lit up, because I was overjoyed! This glowing individual was my friend! Hugs and laughter and wonderful conversation followed and didn't stop. (It still continues to this day!)

You can see JMW's blog for more details, but I will throw in a couple of quick items she happened to leave out. I left to use the restroom at one point and when I returned, several beautifully wrapped packages covered the table! She claimed I had won one of the holiday raffles, but I have a feeling the packages would have been there regardless. Each one was handpicked for me. During such a desperate time in my life, this friend had given me something priceless: a feeling of belonging and importance. But her kindness didn't stop there. At the end of our wonderful adventure, as we were saying our slow goodbyes, she handed me an envelope. What was inside was so precious it brings tears to my eyes even now. This was not a gift, it was a form of salvation for this poor, desperate Princess who had no idea how she could ever make things right under the circumstances.

I won't tell you what was in the envelope, but I think we all know I don't have to. That envelope holds something different for each and every one of us. Melinda has been a guardian angel, a patron saint, and a friend beyond compare to many of us, and her precious gifts come in many shapes and sizes. There are other "Melindas" around here as well. We have all been touched by the kindness of another, whatever the form that may take.

As we enter the season of BFD, no matter what holidays we do or do not celebrate, the spirit of kindness, giving, love, and friendship transcends all religions, species and galaxies. That is Balanced Force Day to me.

If YOU want to celebrate BFD, I have a few ways in which you can join in. Everyone with a positive attitude is welcome & you are appreciated even for simply showing up to enjoy these silly entries. If you want to participate in the Mad Lib craziness, please e-mail or "contact blogger" me with a word in each of the following categories:

NAME OF PERSON
ADJECTIVE
NOUN
PLURAL NOUN
PART OF BODY
ADJECTIVE
NOUN
NUMBER
ADJECTIVE
NUMBER
PLURAL NOUN
ADJECTIVE
PLURAL NOUN
NOUN
ADJECTIVE

Another way to join in is by providing a joke, limerick, story, carol parody, drawing, photo, or anything else you can come up with that somehow relates to the Skywalkers Balancing the Force, the blowing up of the Death Stars, Wampa Claws, or other BFD themes. I can post short things and links in my blog or just link your blog if you'd like. If you have some photos, let me know and I can add them to the "photo album" as well. Better yet, spread some BFD cheer and put a smile on someone's face.

Just recently, several of us in the GHG and Spew Crew decided to join together and do something special for our friend JMW. A few weeks back, she had contacted many of us about a great place to find Star Wars items, sending dozens of photos of the goodies. One photo held a special item, one our dear friend openly coveted, though I'm sure we could all guess she would love it without her saying so! Directed by our fearless leader, we all decided JMW needed this statue and we were just the ones to give it to her. The response was immediate and easy-everyone was in. We contacted the store owner and he jumped at the chance to help. His duties? Make Melinda think the statue has been purchased and then surprise her when she least expects it!

Our leader sent Melinda a message simply to visit the store...and then we waited. It was a short while before the unsuspecting JMW walked through those doors only to be teased by Mike the owner. Once Melinda was sufficiently confused, Mike finally revealed the true reason for her stopping by. Of course, our friend was blown away by our "kindness," but we never felt like we were doing anything extraordinary. This was just something we wanted and needed to do and could never measure up to the kindness we ourselves had received. But I just LOVE the smile on her face, don't you? It reminds me of the smile she had when I first met her two years ago.

So, in all the goofiness, fun and laughter that is BFD, don't forget to ask yourself...

What's in your envelope?



Forcefully,
JP