I am one of those lucky people who has been blessed with the gift of a lifelong friend. I first met Betty when she was in 7th grade and I was in 9th.
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| Betty, me, my brother Garry, and sister Donni – 1968 – Camping in the Texas hill country |
She was my sister’s best friend, but over the years she’s become a dear friend and second sister to me. We’ve supported each other through boyfriends, weddings, babies, and stay-at-home-motherhood. We sew together and share recipes and go on vacation together, when we get the chance. Last summer when she came to visit, though, it wasn’t just to relax and enjoy herself. She spent two weeks away from her own home and family, helping me with all the wedding preparations for Sara’s big day last summer. She washed windows, cleaned the house, and baked hundreds of cookies. And I couldn’t have survived it all without her!
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| Betty, my sister Donni, me, and my mom Saundra at the wedding |
I wanted to do something for her, to show how much I love and appreciate her, so I painted a watercolor of the arbor where the wedding ceremony was held, and added a hand lettered poem about friendship.
The poem expresses so well the absolute trust that I have in my friend, trust that has grown through more than 40 years of friendship. Through a lifetime of talking to her about my life, whining about my husband, crying over my kids, complaining about my job, and yes, laughing about the good times, she has listened. Never judging, always sympathizing and encouraging. How blessed I am to have such a friend! She knows the real me, and likes me anyway!
I hope you have someone like Betty in your life. It makes it so much easier to cope with what life throws at you when you have someone behind you, cheering you on, lifting you up when you’re down, and celebrating with you when you succeed. Just knowing you have a true friend … what a comfort that is!
One Comment
that quote is one of my absolute favorites! shame on me, though, I thought it was by Emerson