Thank You For Being A Friend

I'm just one blubbering mess today.  My daughter-in-love posted a video of Cora Joy's birth.  My heart is full to over flowing.  While I celebrate my family and my children, another mother is grieving the loss of her child. Our county has been mourning the loss of a 20 year old girl who was killed in a car accident last weekend.  I got to thinking about how fragile life is and like the flower, how quickly is blows away. Too much thinking today for sure.

I thought of friendships.  God gives us all friends for a season. Sometimes because of circumstances beyond our control there is distance. Sometimes it's just that life gets in the way. Sometimes we back away. Sometimes the other person backs away. Sometimes new people come in and older friends leave. Sometimes there is misunderstanding and trying to explain it would only make things worse. Sometimes we are at different places, raising children, no children, or children who are involved in other things than our own. Maybe children who were friends are no longer as close and different activities take each in different directions. It's important to treasure the times that we have shared and know that God will bring us back together at just the right time. Hold your friends with open hands and give them to God. Let him put in and take out what is best for you and the other person. Treasure what was and appreciate what now is.

This was my best friend growing up.  She was and is beautiful.  She grew up in a house of 11. She is from a family of 8 children, 7 girls and 1 boy, mama and daddy and grandmother.  The table was massive with food from one end to the other including two cooking sheets of biscuits, and two cakes at every meal.

This was my second home.  I could do things there that I couldn't do at home, like wear make-up and dress in shorts and halters,mini skirts, and tight jeans and go swimming with the boys.  Her mom and dad owned a grocery store and we always got free candy, chips and cokes after school.  Coca Cola was a luxury at my house, but there was always Coke at Michelle's.  Our mamas bought material at the local home owned and operated department store.  We had several outfits made out of the same material.  We rode to school together from the time we were little bitty and took turns driving when we got our first cars. In high school, she was popular and had boyfriends and we lost each other for awhile.

After high school school, she got married and moved away. Michelle is one of those friends who even though you don't see in 20 years and you just pick up where you left off.

This is my baby girl with her best friend.  Best friends for life even when life takes you in different directions.  They sang together from the time they were 4 and 6, in high school musicals, talent competitions, traveled in the college PR group, and again in a couple of other groups.  Lindsay has a very successful solo career in Southern Gospel music.  She is also a mother of a 2 year old little boy and my baby girl will welcome Harper Elizabeth in January.

Life has taken them in different places and still their friendship remains.

These girls traveled the southeast singing together in college and they will always be forever-friends. 

For these young men I prayed.  When Chad started high school, I told him, "At this time in your life you will have to make some choices.  One road will lead you in the right direction and the other road will lead you in the wrong direction."  I began praying that God would give him good Christian friends.  These guys were saved the same summer he was before high school.  Don't tell me prayer doesn't work.

Many of you are friends who came my way at just the right time.

A Gathering Place

I found Rebecca at A Gathering Place http://rebecca-gatheryeroses.blogspot.com when I was dealing with the grief of losing my parents and regrets and misunderstandings about the past.  We found out that we shared the same heritage as a PK and knew some of the same people who had shaped our lives.

All Things Home

Amy at All Things Home http://kinserhome.blogspot.com/ encouraged me during one of the darkest moments of my life.  She sent me a message one day that said, "I was washing eggs in the sink and God brought you to mind.  When I thought of you, I heard the word, "Light."  She had no idea the darkness that I was in.  God wanted me to know that He was going to bring light into my darkness.

 Blackberry Lane

Meet Mildred at http://maplelanehouse.blogspot.com/.  I was about to give up blogging when I got an email from Mildred at Blackberry Lane.  She had written a post and encouraged her friends to drop by.  She is a constant source of encouragement to us all.  I found out that she went to school with a family friend of ours.  She's a wonderful Christian role model.

Simply Linda

Linda at http://justsimplylinda.blogspot.com/ Simply Linda is the biggest hoot you will meet.  She and I connected through Mildred.  Like me, she is real, honest, authentic.  She always makes me smile, makes me giggle, makes me laugh, encourages me and even thinks I'm funny. She and I share private jokes and family matters and always walk away with a smile.

Got a Minute or Two

Wanda, http://gotaminuteortwo.blogspot.com/, is the spunkiest, most attractive 70+ lady I have ever known.  She enjoys life to the fullest.  She is a preacher's wife and is still helping others.  Love this lady.

My Favorite Things

Debby has become a dear friend.  We found out through blogging that our children graduated from the same Christian college, the same year and share mutual friends.  Debby expresses herself beautifully through her photos and the written word.  She sees God's beauty in all creation.  Her stories paint a picture.  http://debbysfavoritethings.blogspot.com/

My Little Corner of the World

Mari http://marislittlecorner.blogspot.com/ paints a beautiful picture through the lens of a camera. She is a nurse at a nursing home.  I was an activity director for 12 years. We share a love for the elderly.  She has a heart for God and is a source of encouragement.  

My Mountain Blessings

Patty is the wife of a preacher man.  I have fallen in love with her world of beauty.  She is an artist in word and in designing her home with simple touches of beauty.  She smiles big and loves with a big heart.  She encourages me in my Christian walk. http://mymountainblessings.blogspot.com/

Olive Out

Olive at Olive Out knows no introduction.  She has the little yellow house with the pumpkin door. She is a vendor and wakes up before dark every Saturday morning to hit the estate sales and yard sales.  She consigned with me when I managed the shop.  I bought almost everything she brought in.  I miss her. http://oliveout.blogspot.com/

These are a few of my friends.  This is getting lengthy so I'll feature a few more next time, like Sparky, Debbie, Kris, Donna, Doris, Beth, Diana, and Theresa to name a few.  Oh shucks!  I've never had so many friends before. 

Thank you for being a friend, 

Bonnie:)