A friend-full fortnight

We returned a few days ago from a two week visit to Perth for our “grandma/pa fix”.  It had been six months since we’d seen our grandies and we desperately needed a top up on our hugs and kisses and snuggles.

“Have a great day at school” I ventured to my grandchildren as they picked up their school bags and headed for the car.  “You have a good day too, Grandma” replied my grandson.  “I sure will” I replied “I’m meeting a couple of girlfriends for morning tea, then Grandpa and I are having lunch with other friends”.

“Oh”, he responded matter-of-factly, “you are going to have a friendful day”

I was amused with his quaint pleasantry and smiled thankfully because I knew I had the title for my next blog.

Apart from spending quality time with family,  it was wonderful to catch up with valued friends from our 34 years of having lived in Perth.  Although we moved away some 12 years ago, I treasure those friendships every single day. Whenever we meet we just seem to pick up from where we left off – no matter how lengthy the time delay.

Although there were friends we missed seeing this trip we managed to connect with several and how pleasant, and restorative, and refreshing it was to chat and reminisce and fill in “the blanks” since we were last together.

The mobile phones were working overtime as we shared photos of children and grandchildren.

Some of those friends we had met not long before leaving Perth while others we’ve known for many years.

Sharing life means we’ve prayed together, cried together and laughed together. There were times we held our breath, picked each other up and applauded each other as we waded our way through the messy years of nappy changes, toddler tantrums, and teenage hormones.  But our babies have grown and blossomed into adulthood.

Amongst us there are some deep scars encountered along life’s journey – divorce – deaths – special needs children – health issues – disappointments.   But there have also been many exciting and happy occasions and proud achievements to recall.

Sharing a deep faith, we celebrated God’s faithfulness and encouraged each other in areas where dreams and longings are still yet unfulfilled.

It is inspiring to witness the godly, strong warriors that have emerged as we have risen above the difficulties and setbacks in life.  Marriage and parenting are not for the faint of heart and you, my dear friends, have excelled.

Friendships are indispensable for a happy fulfilled life.  Nothing compares to a friend’s loyal companionship and I am blessed to have a group of strong friends here in our new little town to add to those of my younger years.

Life is simply much easier and more enjoyable for having you all in my life.

True friends understand your sense of humour and know your secret yearnings.

They help you make those hard decisions in life without judgement.

They love you when you mess up.

They lend a helping hand and offer a listening ear.

They make you laugh when you are down and provide a shoulder to cry on when needed.

They accept you as you are, but help you become a better person.

Thank you God for my beautiful friends.

Just as lotions and fragrance give sensual delight,
    a sweet friendship refreshes the soul.  Proverbs 27:9 (The Message)

You can always tell a real friend: when you’ve made a fool of yourself he (she) doesn’t feel you’ve done a permanent job. -Laurence J. Peter