A Dear Friend

A little over four years ago, I had the incredible pleasure of meeting M. and her family. Actually, it was not a chance meeting, but an answer to prayer. For several years, I had been begging the good Lord to send me a like-minded friend, someone special, like a kindred spirit. When both of us were great with child---she her fourth and me with my third--- the Lord determined it was time for M. and I to meet. We inevitably did so one Sunday after Mass, immediately discovered that our babies shared an imminent due date, and a friendship was born.

Over the years, M. and I have babysat each other's children countless times, carpooled to art class, counseled one another, cooked meals for one another after having babies, prepared our children for First Holy Communion and our sons for altar serving. We have had crazy late dinners with all ten children, spent hours at the park, helped each other move, homeschooled each other's children from time to time, and even gone to a movie together once.

We have cried, hugged, laughed, shared books and recipes, and prayed. Together our families have spent Christmas, New Years(with a Christmas Pageant perfomance by the children), Easter, and Fourth of July, as well as, colds, stomach bugs, and even lice. And, all those lovely birthday parties and baptisms.

But now things are changing. M. has moved away today with her lovely family; each of us is feeling the sadness of a dear friend departed. Firstborn and his best buddy, J. are already making plans for our visit to the H's new home. When Sunshine found that her dear friend C. had left, not one, but two pairs of shoes here, she suggested we deliver them to C. this week, in person. Little Rosebud was making pictures and notes to include in the shoe package to her friends, F & P. She may not know it, but I am sure Little Queen and her little friend, E, won't be the same without one another. Afterall, E. showed Little Queen how to climb the stairs and Little Queen was still teaching E. how to walk.

One of the things that drew me to M. is her generous spirit and fearless hospitality. Her door and her heart are always open to anyone in need of conversation, dinner, or any sort of reprieve. I am so grateful to M. for demonstrating such a beautiful, Catholic example of true hospitality; I now find my door and my heart more open because of her. And, of course, our door and heart are always open the H. family. We hope they will come back for a visit soon...