I'm visiting my parents' house and remembered I had the Christmas card up on the wall that I referenced in the story in my old bedroom. I thought I'd share it with you.
Friday Frank, as he called himself, was an older gentleman who would call me between 5-6 AM on his way to work. We talked about lots of different things, and he sent me this after me only being on the air for 3-4 months. This, along with the literal box of gum I was sent on Valentine's Day a few months later, very much weirded out my professor. He stopped calling before I officially left the station, and I remember him saying that he got sick. I don't like to think that he died necessarily, but he kind of just stopped calling at some point. Maybe he got too sick to have the energy to do so anymore. I'm not really sure. Through this gesture, (he actually sent me two cards because he wasn't sure I got the first one) I knew he cared, and that I was appreciated for being my true self. In some ways, that wouldn't really be actualized until two years ago when I left Jimmy John's (read Food Service if you want to hear about those tales (Yes, someone did actually show me their sex toy collection on the work computer...getting comments about that section of the book is still hilarious)), but the goofy, chill and carefree Nicole did exist in college. It just happened to be under a decently thick layer of social anxiety, and also not quite knowing who I was yet 15 years ago. Arguably, as I get closer to half-80, as the kids might say, perhaps I still don't know who I am. Whatever it is or isn't, the person I am now resembles a more mature version of my college days, and I am quite content with it, even if I don't have my own life jacket and paddle like Jisung by the end of this story.
Building off the river analogy for myself: Though my parents definitely bought me a boat that I depend on heavily, I've used the resources of the woods and shores to get me through rough patches of the river where I felt like I had no one. There were times it didn't occur to me that I could go into town and buy what I needed and interact with others. The comfort of knowing at least the animals could listen to me for a while helped, even if they migrated somewhere else after a while. I must admit I'm materially dependent on others, but emotionally and mentally, I generally will let the river take me where it will and figure out the complications from there. If I get really stuck, I'll ask travelers along the way. Other than that, it's my job to navigate my own river, and I do that by myself to the best of my ability. I fail, a lot, and sometimes I need to remember the resources are there when the sun blinds my travels and I can't see anything but the vastness of the nature around me. But, as always, I find a way to work through it, even if it does take a hefty push from someone on a distant riverbank to get through.
Anyways, I didn't (and quite frankly still don't) understand why others were so kind to me and willing to think of me so highly despite being me a shit head sometimes. It amazes me that almost everywhere I go, I've been thought of highly and/or had some kind of badass reputation to my name. I've been told it's a combination of humility and work ethic, which is perhaps why I'm so drawn to Stray Kids as a band.
Anyways, enjoy:
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Song of the Morning (About You) - Minsung
FanfictionJisung is a consummate performer. Whether he is singing and rapping in a recording booth, or smooth talking on his college radio station overnight, he has grown to love performing for no one. He decided to combine his two loves and start a radio seg...