You've Got a Friend
“A true friend freely, advises justly, assists readily, adventures boldly, takes all patiently, defends courageously, and continues a friend unchangeably.”
Tonight our church's women's ministry had it's annual Women's Gala. Randi and I were in charge of the speaker, so I knew it would be worth the effort.
And I wasn't really looking forward to it.
It's been a hard week. I've been in no mood for anything. I don't want to smile. I don't want to make small talk. And I don't want to explain to even one more person why I'm so sad. I just want to curl up in my sadness and have a good ol' pity party. (I'd even love to drown my sorrows in Diet Coke and Malibu Rum, but I have refrained)
We got back Monday night from a great weekend in North Carolina carrying with us the grim reality that Billy is leaving on the boat very soon. It rocked us to the core of our beings - and we are just flat sad. There's no redeeming quality of your son deploying. Trust me. There just isn't. Proud? Yes, of course. With every fiber of my being. But beyond that....pass me a pillow, the box of kleenex and the rum, please.
So anyway....going to a women's gala - one I helped plan no less - was not at the top of my favorite ideas list.
But I was committed. And, I knew I'd be with friends.
Let me tell you a little bit about some of my friends I spent time with tonight. (I hope I don't get in trouble for this....)
Randi is my rock. This week, when I have been virtually worthless in every way, she has been right there quietly reminding me that she cares. We have this hilarious way of communicating that probably drives everyone crazy. We have lists.
It goes something like this, "Ok, I have 2 things. 1. Did you remember to pick up that candy to go in the candy bowl? I was thinking M&Ms - but then I really like Hershey's kisses too. Really - just whatever you think. And 2. Did you get that email about next week's meeting? I completely forgot."
She has become my 'go to' girl on so many things. I trust her judgement 100%. And she's always there to make me feel better without even trying. God just gives her the right words to say to me at the right time....or no words if that's the right thing to do. I am SO thankful for her.
Courtney is a newer friend. I haven't known her as long, but she is such a kindred spirit. We connected right away - and she's been invaluable. I love being around her - and she can always make me smile. She thinks so much like me and it cracks me up when she does something that I SHOULD have expected but didn't. She's the "fixer" - just like I am in so many situations. She stealthily finds solutions to potential problems, then tells me at just the right moment.
Tonight she announced that she has learned we can freeze dry homemade food and ship to Billy on the boat. WHO would have researched this - or even considered finding a way to give Billy a taste of home? Only Courtney. And I love her for it. I can't tell you how good it made me feel to just know that someone else was thinking ahead when I can't bring myself to think about 30 minutes from now.
Joy is one of the girls I've known most of the time we've been at our church. She has always offered positive words of encouragement, and I can usually count on her to get teary right along with me. She's quick to say she loves me - and she's always there with a hug. Tonight she was immediately at my side reminding me that we will all get through this deployment and that she's always available for "therapy" sessions.
MaryAnn and I were in a small group Bible study for years. Fortunately, she is ex-military so she understands the emotional roller coaster that comes with it. Not only that, we have weathered many storms together: her mother passing away, her children going off to college, her infamous knee surgery that took FOREVER to heal. So MaryAnn just "gets it". She's the one who shows up with the cookies - or the enchiladas - or whatever - when you need it. And she's quick to point out, "That's the way we do it in Lefors." (A tiny town where she spend some of her childhood.)
I'll stop there. But as you can see, the best place I could have possibly been was at church tonight - with my friends. Between them and Karen Porter, our guest speaker, my spirits were lifted. I really DO know it's all going to be fine. I just needed a pity party day (or week). And I was glad to have friends to share it with me.
Don't know what I'd do without them. And I'll be returning the favor tenfold when they need me.
(And for all of you friends that weren't with me tonight....be warned. You'll all be making guest appearances around here. So prepare yourself now!)
~William Penn
Tonight our church's women's ministry had it's annual Women's Gala. Randi and I were in charge of the speaker, so I knew it would be worth the effort.
And I wasn't really looking forward to it.
It's been a hard week. I've been in no mood for anything. I don't want to smile. I don't want to make small talk. And I don't want to explain to even one more person why I'm so sad. I just want to curl up in my sadness and have a good ol' pity party. (I'd even love to drown my sorrows in Diet Coke and Malibu Rum, but I have refrained)
We got back Monday night from a great weekend in North Carolina carrying with us the grim reality that Billy is leaving on the boat very soon. It rocked us to the core of our beings - and we are just flat sad. There's no redeeming quality of your son deploying. Trust me. There just isn't. Proud? Yes, of course. With every fiber of my being. But beyond that....pass me a pillow, the box of kleenex and the rum, please.
So anyway....going to a women's gala - one I helped plan no less - was not at the top of my favorite ideas list.
But I was committed. And, I knew I'd be with friends.
Let me tell you a little bit about some of my friends I spent time with tonight. (I hope I don't get in trouble for this....)
It goes something like this, "Ok, I have 2 things. 1. Did you remember to pick up that candy to go in the candy bowl? I was thinking M&Ms - but then I really like Hershey's kisses too. Really - just whatever you think. And 2. Did you get that email about next week's meeting? I completely forgot."
She has become my 'go to' girl on so many things. I trust her judgement 100%. And she's always there to make me feel better without even trying. God just gives her the right words to say to me at the right time....or no words if that's the right thing to do. I am SO thankful for her.
Tonight she announced that she has learned we can freeze dry homemade food and ship to Billy on the boat. WHO would have researched this - or even considered finding a way to give Billy a taste of home? Only Courtney. And I love her for it. I can't tell you how good it made me feel to just know that someone else was thinking ahead when I can't bring myself to think about 30 minutes from now.
MaryAnn and I were in a small group Bible study for years. Fortunately, she is ex-military so she understands the emotional roller coaster that comes with it. Not only that, we have weathered many storms together: her mother passing away, her children going off to college, her infamous knee surgery that took FOREVER to heal. So MaryAnn just "gets it". She's the one who shows up with the cookies - or the enchiladas - or whatever - when you need it. And she's quick to point out, "That's the way we do it in Lefors." (A tiny town where she spend some of her childhood.)
I'll stop there. But as you can see, the best place I could have possibly been was at church tonight - with my friends. Between them and Karen Porter, our guest speaker, my spirits were lifted. I really DO know it's all going to be fine. I just needed a pity party day (or week). And I was glad to have friends to share it with me.
Don't know what I'd do without them. And I'll be returning the favor tenfold when they need me.
(And for all of you friends that weren't with me tonight....be warned. You'll all be making guest appearances around here. So prepare yourself now!)
I'm so sorry you are hurting right now. Our God is the God of comfort. Not even the tiniest details of your life go unnoticed by our Lord. And your friends are proof positive of that.
ReplyDeleteI don't know your other friends, but if they are anything like Randi then you are extremely rich in blessings. Randi is a wonderful friend. One that I miss very much. I have such fun memories of times spent with her and with she and Chris.
Such a lucky, lucky girl....but then, so are they to have you!
ReplyDeleteI have somethings to say about this:
ReplyDelete1) I get the list thing.
2) I appreciate you so much for being vulnerable.
3) I love your list of people. They are precious to me.
4) I had no idea Mary Anne was from Lefors. My mom was from Lefors. :)
5) Dude, we're gonna send Billy so much stuff he's head will spin, but he'll be popular :)