I gave my key away today and it felt wonderful! My mom had given me "my" key, with the word "courage" on it... I always kept it in my bag (I am a full time college student). It's funny how I made that choice long ago, not even knowing if and/or when I would find someone to give it away to.
A couple weeks ago, I'd heard of a fellow student who has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. She is a wife, a mom, and a full time student. She is going through chemo, and still she is continuing in the social work program, which in itself is amazing to me.
I kept thinking of my key, and selfishly, didn't want to part with it "just yet." The feeling of giving it away to her was always there... and it is times like these that remind me, that following my heart and my intuition is always the best thing to do. When I saw her, I walked up to her and explained to her that I had heard her story and it touched my heart. I handed her the "courage" key and explained the story that goes along with it. We both shed tears and hugged.
I think the most significant thing about my experience, is that I didn't know this woman... and yet my heart was drawn to her to give her "my" key... I believe that this key will give her needed courage... it's amazing that that was the word on "my" key... I know that she will pass it on and I know that it was the right thing to do.
Thank you mom for giving me a key of courage... and thank you to my new friend for giving me the inspiration to pass it on..
-Jamie