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...
