A True Friend

A true friend
Warms you with her presence,
Trusts you with her secrets,
and
Remembers you in her prayers.

The sun is shining, my home is quiet and I am treasuring the memories of the past couple of days - reliving and savoring precious time spent with a sweet friend that will stay close to my heart forever! Words can’t convey what happened when two blog friends met face-to-face and spent time together, sharing their hearts and the things we each hold dear. Many people don’t understand the bonds of friendship that are possible in the world of blog but you and I know deep inside that there is nothing quite like it. We can become friends who talk and share our lives and homes and thoughts – friends who help carry the load when it becomes too much to bear alone – friends who listen and laugh and love us even when others might shake their heads and walk away – friends who recognize and value each other for who we are and treasure the things that touch our heart – friends who believe in us, trust us and want only the best for us. That’s all possible here in this wonderful world of blog. And it has been true for me!

I shared here that my sweet friend Jane from Tickleberry Farm was coming to my home. An overnight stay, thrifting and time spent talking, sharing and laughing together were what we dreamed possible. And it all happened just that way! Our time together began on Monday afternoon - within moments of her arrival we were hugging and smiling and loving every moment of just being together. In no time at all we knew this was no small thing. No once-in-a-lifetime meeting. We knew we were kindred spirits – friends of the heart – and we had a sense that God had brought us together. Two sisters in His love who share so much in common and whose lives will never be the same again because He allowed us these hours together.

Jane came to my community to pick up her ‘new baby’, a wonderful sixties-vintage, little trailer that she will make all her own and take wherever her heart desires. And I had the incredible privilege of being with her when she ‘met’ her new little one. Jane and I drove a short distance from my home to where this sweet, little treasure waited. And we got more than we bargained for. The dear young people who met us and did business with Jane were the sweetest people who not only did the business needed – they invited us into their big, gorgeous, historical home for tea. And, oh, what a cup of tea it was. We were among friends and there was such pleasure in those moments. As Jane drove down the long drive to their home we could see her ‘Baby Jane’ and as we parked nearby I had the awesome privilege of seeing my friend’s joy in that moment of a dream fulfilled. There were a few tears, many smiles and much laughter. I told her it felt like watching a dear friend give birth! I was so privileged to be part of those moments.

And then – Jane’s dear hubby, Rocky, who was in the area for business, came to help get things ready to roll. A careful drive back to my home and soon my sweetheart arrived to meet these dear, new friends and enjoy time together over dinner. This was almost more than my heart could contain. For me to meet Jane was a thrill, but for my sweetheart to meet and treasure her and her hubby was almost more than I dreamed possible.

Rocky had to return to his hotel where he was staying but Jane spent the night here so we could have more time together before she had to head home again. Yesterday morning we sat and talked and shared our hearts together – and then we spent a wonderful, fun-filled morning out and about on a thrifting excursion! After lunch together we returned to my home and soon went to visit my dear, little mother. What fun we had as my dear mother gave Jane a tour of her little cottage home.

Time went by all too fast and the hours we had eagerly anticipated quickly became a memory – a memory that I cherish. I thank God for the gift of this very special friend. We will see each other again. We know we will. We’re already making plans!

With A Grateful Heart,
~Adrienne~

(Some of you asked me to be sure and take a lot of photos. You will notice that there are no photos today except the beautiful teacups I ‘borrowed’ from Google Images and the photo of Baby Jane that Jane recently shared on her blog. I chose to honor Jane’s desire for privacy and her security and that of her family in the world of blog. And I didn’t feel it would be right for me to share photos of Baby Jane until she was able to share her with the world – that is hers to tell. It’s her story. I hope you will check her blog in the next few days so you can enjoy the sweetness of this cute, little vintage trailer and watch the progress as this new baby grows and becomes something very special.)