Not just a piece of fruit

There are a few truly delightful people in the world. Not a lot. If there were, we wouldn't appreciate them when we find them. Like too many chocolate chips in a really good cookie.

Valencia is one of them. Isn't that a great name? Valencia. It's just fun.

I met her when her mom died. She called the radio station to let us know, and of course in my newbie-ness I informed her how obits worked around there. She was kind and gracious with a voice that tinkled with humor even at such a sad time. She explained that she knew Tiffany and Bill, so I put her on hold and told Tiff - who immediately grabbed up the phone.

It turned out Valencia, her mom, and family have a long history with the station and Bill and the community that I just wasn't aware of, being new to Liberty.

She came in later that day and although you could tell she was tired and would miss her mom, joy was right beneath the surface. She had salt and pepper gray hair, gorgeous cafe-au-lait skin and wore summery sky blue capris, chunky, colorful jewelry and lit up the room when she walked in; I liked her right away.

Not a minute was wasted on a negative word. Valencia was funny, held her own with Bill, spoke about her mom with love, mentioned some projects she was working on, and impressed me thoroughly. She is an artist, musician, poet, singer, songwriter, author, and community activist. She is a lovely woman.

She is using her time and energy to focus on and create good things.

It's a choice.

When you make choices like that it carries on forever and affects lives you'll never know.