Simple Gifts
Yesterday morning I had a delightful phone call from a friend, one of those conversations that warms the soul immensely. Last evening I had another call, equally enjoyable, from yet another friend. I’ve been thinking since on how different these two friends are, yet how much both mean to me.
They are an eclectic assortment of individuals, my friends, each quite different from the next. An octogenarian friar, an executive secretary, a lawyer, a children’s librarian, an exhausted mother of two autistic children, a retired army colonel, an archivist, a horse breeder - those are the sorts of descriptions by which my friends are known in the world.
I know them differently.
Each has a story, unique, rich and deep.
One has just started treatments for cancer, yet cancer does not define her and never will.
Another owns a wine and olive shop in Belize, and would be the first in line if you needed a kidney and she was a match.
A third visits wounded American military personnel, bringing them small homey gifts like fresh-baked cookies, and the comfort of a friendly face.
Yet another gently cares for his wife, and her twin sister, who are both terminally ill, while struggling with serious health problems himself.
One is steadfastly conservative, another radically liberal. Some have taken holy orders, while others profess no religious faith at all. A few are poor; one is quite wealthy.
None of them look alike.
So what is the common thread?
We help each other laugh, especially when, as one of them says, yet another meteorite strikes.
That, Oh Best Beloved, is a precious gift.
“With the fearful strain that is on me night and day, if I did not laugh I should die.”
— Abraham Lincoln
19 Feb 2007 JAS
Those sound like some pretty special people JAS. I am similarly blessed in my life with a circle of solid rock-type friends. I sometimes look around at them and am in total awe and wonder at who they are and that I can count them as friends.
Hope you don’t mind if I co-opt your idea a bit and do something similar on my blog. We don’t always remember the special-ness of our friends…
As one of your friends that help uplift you, let me tell you it is an honor to be so seen by you, becasue this friend finds that you are very uplifting. I feel that God has used you to speak to me of His love in some of the meteor strikes I have had to endure.
I don’t know why God sends these meteors but be encouraged. Many times in His book he promises that we will have it all the better for our pain here on earth. I thank God that He feels that he wants me to come to heaven having had the experiences of un-remitting pain, feeling utterly helpless and having Him come through, and of having a heap of troubles and then have two or three more dumped on the top.
I know it is hard, but rejoice in the Lord for He is good and all things work together for those who love God.