A Faithful Friend is the Medicine of Life

Rare as is true love, true friendship is rarer. ~Jean de La Fontaine

The sincere friends of this world are as ship lights in the stormiest of nights. ~Giotto de Bondone

Through the process of being ill and recovery, I have discovered what true friendship really is.  It is a love beyond measure.  It is a longing for health and companionship.  It is a deep and abiding feeling that is such a rarity.  I am fortunate to have 4 very good friends.  Most people only have one, but God has given me such a precious gift.  

Two of these precious friends are childhood friends.  Paula and Karen have been by me for years.  There were times we drifted apart.  Life happened. Marriages, children, careers, school, but in the tough times I looked up and there they were. I love you both and I am so very grateful for you and the light you shine.  Both of you are outstanding women.  God loving and God fearing ladies that know the value of family and friends.  

Mandy and I became friends as adults. We are two peas in a pod. We have common interests and we work well together.  We have been good friends for about 5 years.  She prayed and cried over me.  She came and washed my hair when I could not.  When I was too weak to bathe myself in the shower, she did it for me.  A true friend will do things for you even when they think they can't.  Mandy was staying with me right after I came home from the hospital the first time.  My illiostomy bag came loose and it was a heck of a mess.  There was waste everywhere.  She didn't even blink.  I was upset and crying and I didn't know if I could even stand long enough to take a shower.  She helped me take a shower, refastened my ostomy bag, brushed my hair, and got me settled.  Mandy acted like all that poop was no big deal.  I was horrified and embarrassed, but she turned that around and we laugh about it now.  That's what friends do. 

Deanna has been my best friend for about 20 years.  We student taught together, we got our Master's degrees together, we team taught, we love each others children as our own.  There is so much I can say about Deanna.  When I was in the hospital, she came EVERY day. I don't remember much about her being there, but I know she was.  My mama kept a journal and she wrote down when Deanna came and some of the things Deanna said and did for me.  Deanna saw me at my lowest but she believed that God wasn't done with me.  I truly believe that my family and friends brought me back from the edge of death.  Deanna was Megan's teacher while I was in the hospital.  I believe they needed each other.  Megan needed Deanna to give her reassurance that her mama was coming back.  Deanna needed to see Megan every day to remind her what the love of a mama and friend really can be.  Deanna loves Megan just as much as I do.  I do not take that for granted.  I have no doubt that if God had taken me away, Megan would have felt the love of a mother through Deanna.  I treasure you.  God truly did give you to me.  Just Breathe. I knew of the song, but now I see and feel the emotion and meaning behind it.  

So, I am very fortunate to have 4!!!! strong, prayerful, and encouraging women in my life.  I love you all.  You mean the world to me.  True friends know our weaknesses but remind us of our strengths.