My friend………..

Two lives intertwined for close to 40 years –

We shared laughter, pain, tears, giggles, joyous family celebrations, grief when loved ones passed on, success, failures, heartfelt secrets, long term separations, profound conversations, and many, many fervent prayers lifted up to the merciful God that we both came to know, accept and serve.

For many years I was unable to travel to her so over and over she would willingly endure the discomfort and expense to travel to me. We would talk for hours until we were hoarse and exhausted, then we’d simply sit side by side in silence finding comfort and contentment being near one another for the moment. Way too soon the visit would come to an end and we’d be off to the airport so she could return to her sharing and patient family. Hundreds of miles would separate us once again but it never strained the friendship. Our hearts just enlarged and reached out across the miles staying linked together until the next time she was able to visit.

This time it’s different though. She will never again fly to visit me. I will never again feel the excitement of picking her up at the airport. My friend and I are now separated in a very different way and my heart is breaking. I miss her beyond description. Grief chokes my every breath and tears flow through intense pain and yet…………..

I know that my friend has been set free to walk the streets of heaven. She can now visit, not with me but with all our loved ones that went on before and amazingly, she can see Jesus, our Saviour, face to face. I also know, without a doubt, that I will see her again. This world grew darker with her departure but heaven, oh how much sweeter it seems now that she is there.

Thank you Lord for the mercy and grace you showed me by placing her in my life. I am a better, richer, fuller, more complete person because of having her as my friend. Thank you Lord for the blessing of Linda.