A Friend Indeed
A few days ago an old friend from San Diego contacted me unexpectedly. We hadn’t been in touch for fifteen years at least. During that time her kids grew up, she and her husband prepared for grandparenthood, and mutual friends had died. So many memories surfaced. It was such a blessing to find out that I had come to mind. It was a visit from an angel!
Two weeks ago a former writing student emailed me for some advice about a project she is working on. Memories of our time together years ago in a university writing class were as fresh as if they occurred yesterday.
During this season of sheltering in place I find I’m hungry for contact with good friends, the silver and the gold. So I’ve decided that just as these women reached out to me, I could do the same with others in my life. Make it a priority.
The pastor at the church I attend underscored this thought by creating a “Love Your Neighbor Challenge.” He suggested we give a little gift (cookies, box of candy or a meal) to a neighbor or neighbors in our community and tuck in a little note letting them know we’re thinking of them during this difficult season in all of our lives.
A couple on my street brought me a bowl of homemade chowder and a loaf of sourdough bread and sweet butter a week or so ago. I was so touched. They know I live alone and they just wanted to perk up my evening.
It takes so little to bless someone’s day, and our day in return. Something to think about. If you have a related experience, please share it with us. As the saying goes, “We’re all in this together.”
“Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together.”
– Woodrow T. Wilson
Karen, I’ve only seen you in person at writers’ conferences, and none of those for several years, but I think of you often and always enjoy reading your posts.
Hi Janet. Thank you for your very kind words. I have many happy memories of times you and I shared at the conferences. It does seem like a long time ago. My last MH conference was 2014.
I guess it was meant for me to look at your today’s writing as soon as I got up from a nap! Yes, I take a nap in the afternoon~smile! I could not believe an email I received this morning around noon. It was from a dear friend I had in Cape Coral and I have not seen her in nine years. She sent me a copy of something she found that I had given to her many years ago-I have no idea what year. She wrote that she is always finding something that reminds her of me and she wanted to share something she found over the weekend. It was a copy of something I had written to her and the title was: “Donna’s ABC’s by Margaret. A. Adorable, B. Beautiful, C. Compassionate, D. Determined, E. Elegant F. Faithful, and etc. all the way through Z. I have no idea when I wrote it. One night at Choir practice I asked her if she would go with me to the “Mother, Daughter Banquet” at the church and she looked at me rather stunned and said: “You must have been a young mother”. I told her to subtract the year I was born, 1927 from the year she was born and she would know how old I was. She looked stunned and said: “you were twenty!” Our friendship grew and grew. I think this came to me at a good time and I can share it with others and perhaps give someone the idea to doing this for a close friend or even a relative.
Thanks Karen. I like what you wrote today! Love to you. Margaret
What an adorable story about your friendship and the ABCs. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. I hope some readers may take you up on your idea. Blessings to you, always, Margaret.
Love this! Being “neighborly” sure takes on a new meaning these days. Acts of love and caring seem to be doubly important! 🙂
I agree. We seem to need one another more than ever during this very strange season. I hope you are well. ❤️
Thanks for some inspiration!
Thank you.
Surprise calls, cards and contacts are special.
I cherish them and you Ms. Karen. Thank you.
Smiles, BRC
Thanks, Beth. I appreciate your support.
You have truly encouraged me with your blog post today – thanks again for sharing your life here. I see an older woman that lives alone in my neighborhood when I go for my walks – I am going to doing something nice for her ♥ I hope she will feel blessed.
Thank you, Carrie. I really appreciate your kind words. I feel certain your neighbor will love your thoughtful gesture.
You, my dear, are easy to remember. You come to mind first, when I think of generous, thoughtful and loving friends. I love you
Thank you, Heidi. What a beautiful message. I say, “Takes one to know one.” 😄 I love you, as well.