On Friends and Kindness

 

{Grandma (center) in 1959}

I don't want it to go unnoticed that I have appreciated the many kind words you have all sent my direction. The emails, the comments, the prayers--to say that I am grateful for the outpouring of kindness doesn't fully capture my heart. But that's what I have for you. Gratefulness. Thank you for thinking of me.

When we moved from Oregon to Washington, we left behind a wonderful support system of friends. I still keep in touch with many of them through their blogs, Facebook updates, and occasional visits, but for obvious reasons I don't get to see them as much as I used to. Nevertheless, through these past few weeks I've never once felt alone in my grief. Your words have been a huge comfort.

Jason and I knew that we'd need to make new friends when we moved here, but we've been a little slow at getting connected with others. Fortunately, we have lots of family nearby so we never feel lonely. Also fortunately, we have some old high school pals that live in Portland.

While plenty of high school friendships go by the wayside after graduation, of all the friendships I was disappointed I hadn't kept up with, my friendship with my best friend Megan was at the top of the list. We kept in touch through college, and she was in my wedding, but after we both entered the workforce then life kind of got in the way and we lost track of each other.

Last spring, thanks to the networking wonders of Facebook, I managed to reconnect with Megan. To tell you the truth, when I saw her friend request waiting in my email inbox, I burst into tears. I hadn't seen Megan in ten years.

We agreed to meet for lunch at the Kennedy School (never a bad place to have lunch, as my Portland friends will agree). Even though it had been ten years, we still knew each other. Which is to say, we were still so much the same as we had always been. We were friends.

We made another lunch date, this time meeting up with another high school friend who was briefly in town.

 

That's Megan in the center (holding her sweet daughter) and our friend Sarah on the far right.

Since last spring, Megan and I have continued to meet up for lunch dates. Our families have gotten together (and hooray! the husbands and children get along splendidly). It's just been so amazing that God answered my prayer for a local friend with the bestest friend I'd ever had.

On the day Grandma passed away, Megan called me to see if I wanted to have lunch the next day. We didn't manage to actually talk to each other, only setting up the lunch date through voice messages. I could tell by the messages that she was just calling just because, not because she had heard about Grandma.

By pure coincidence, Megan called me on the day of my deepest grief.

Except I don't think it wasn't a coincidence. It was an answer to prayer (Or as my aunt would say, "A God thing").

Megan sat next to me at Grandma's funeral. We had lunch again today (at the Kennedy School no less!). I have no doubt that we will not lose track of one another again.

I never presume to know how God works. He works in mysterious ways, and that's all I am certain of. But today I was reminded that people are not in my life accidentally. The comments and emails I've received from so many of you are not accidents. My living near my precious family is not an accident. My reconnecting with Megan was not an accident. Her phone call on the day Grandma died was not an accident.

My grief has been made lighter by my friends who have been intentionally placed in my life.

And that, sweet friends, is nothing short of amazing.

Comments

[violetismycolor]

Couldn't agree more. I believe that it's all here 'in the plan'. I'm so happy that you are finding your feet up there in that other state.

[Margaret]

You and Megan could be sisters! I'm glad that you've reconnected; I don't always love FB, but I'm happy to have found some of my high school friends. (and college)

[Alida]

I love the pictures. The one of your grandmother and her friends is lovely and I love how times change but friendships remain the cornerstone of our lives.

[Karen]

Don't you wonder what they are laughing about. Love that picture.

Well, miss Stephanie are you going to make me cry all month? I love that you are near your HS friend. My BF is many many states away. But I am so thankful for the friends who are near. What would we do without them!

[Megan C. Bouslaugh]

Friend, thank you so much. This makes me cry. No, we will not lose track of each other again :-) - we are just meant to be two peas in a pod! You in my life again has been a refreshment that needed so much. I feel honored that God let our friendship be a blessing in this time for you.