Under the Same Roof With Emily

by Melody Johnson
(Minneapolis, MN, USA)

Emily and I lived at Jeremiah's Porch for a year and a half together. She lived in the opposite apartment from me, and most of our interactions were in passing, in the stairway or out in the street. I quickly saw what a passion she had for other cultures and people, and how she was excited to engage herself in working around the world.

I was having a lonely, sad day on the porch of our house once at the beginning of that year, as Emily was walking up to the house from the grocery store. She stopped to ask me how I was doing, and I tried not to look at her as I replied, because I was almost in tears. She noticed that I was distraught, and sat down and genuinely asked what was troubling me. She stayed and listened as I vented my thoughts to her for a half hour or so.

She was such a gentle and comforting presence to me, affirming my hopes and helping to ease my doubts and fears.

I saw Emily here in Minneapolis at the YWCA not even two weeks ago, and we chatted about normal life things: jobs, dating, living situations, etc. I told her of my new desire to learn Arabic and travel, but voiced a few doubts about being able to do those things that I had such a desire for. She looked at me quietly and quizzically and asked, "Why not? Why not now? You SHOULD do it."
I deeply appreciated her affirmation, knowing that she, too, had desires to travel and do things NOW while she was young.

Emily was so young and full of life, what a treasure she was. . .someone who was deeply rooted and still had a passion and desire to move and change.