A treasure of my heart

As many of my readers know my blog

is a sharing of my decorating passions

 and a sharing of my heart...

Twenty years ago

I stood in church sharing a testimony

of my faith and out in the crowd

there was a beautiful woman

with tears smiling at me.

Afterward she came and gave me the warmest

hug and shared that she wanted

to be my friend.

When I think of the word friend

I realize many have a different perception

of the true meaning of friendship.

1993 began the journey

that my dearest Camilla and I would

see through together.

Only the good Lord knew what we

would become to each other.

We were wives and mothers raising our

young children while sharing joys and sorrows.

I loved that we had that common thread of

rescuing a curbside find and restoring life

back into it. Before long we began doing

the same for the other ones soul.

She mentored me through

a bible study and

our bond grew even more.

All of this was

the preparation for what was to become.

Life happened and the waters

were choppy and then they were treacherous.

Cami became my life line and I hers

as we lived through the waves thrashing us about.

Our spiritual armor was going through the war

week after week month after month.

She coined the phrase that I use

" dog paddling " to stay above water.

We woke at 5:30 am everyday and phoned

the other and prayed for each other.

One day we happened upon this

tiny book " Faithful Friends ".

As life would lead us

there we were marking the pages with

flower petals in certain places

then passing it back and forth between us.

In our hearts we knew when it

was time to give it back to the other.

All of the petals still remain

in this three inch book of love

that is our treasure.

Cami even began calling me

every Thanksgiving morning

and we sing together over the phone.

" This is the day that the Lord has made "

My oldest who is twenty five had remarked to

me the other day " I can't believe you two still

sing that on Thanksgiving." He remembered that from

his childhood days.

Pillow Sweet Tea and Linen

Over the years death came, divorce came

along with much heartache and pain, yet

she still remained faithful and when sickness

came to me she was my warrior

of prayer and strength.

Cami teases me till this day

she says " I'm all show and no go "

held together with chewing gum and paper clips

referring to the break down of my body

through years of battling this illness.

We laugh so much over that.

A few months ago at her father's memorial service

Cami placed the Faithful Friends book in my hand

when I arrived and we tearfully embraced.

This past week

I read each page and shed many tears.

We have seen each other through the

worst times of our lives during which

a few we were unable to be a great friend

to the other. There was pain and with that

 followed periods of silence.

During that silence there was growth

and a renewed spirit that bloomed

in each of us.

I thanked God this week

over and over again that He

chose us to be these Faithful Friends.

The commitment that is honored,

the grace that is given.

That neither of us suffer the other

over the past hurts. We rejoice

in the love that stands firm.

What a rare beauty to find someone who can love

you even when you are not

at your best and still treasure you

within their heart.

Camilla you are the most amazing

and beautiful woman I am truly

blessed beyond words.

 I thank the Lord

for His gift of our Faithful Friendship

I love you and thank you

for your perserverance

and steadfast love.

Linking up with my favorite gals

Jann's Share your cup Thursday

Stop by later this week

for a lovely holiday giveaway!

Much love to each of you...