I'm back from a long weekend in the place where my marriage was infant-nurtured, my babies were conceived and loved by a hundred mamas, and that still feels like going home though I wasn't born there. Well-familiar faces give me reason to add to my thanks this morning.
41. The unexpected friend who appeared when it felt like the world walked out.
42. The friend who taught me a memorable lesson in generosity.
43. The friend God used to illustrate "It's not about me."
44. The friend who never told me what I wanted to hear but what I needed to.
45. The friend who convinced me that anything is possible.
46. The friend who showed me appearances are deceiving, differences don't matter so much and love is more desirable than riches.
47. The friend whose enthusiasm, excitement and encouragement is measured in time and intent.
48. The friend who always gives me reason to laugh.
49. The friend who inspires me with creativity and beauty.
50. The friend who reminded me that it's more about your present and future than it is about your past.
It was a great weekend….
(I wonder if each could identify her/himself in my characterization… :))
You're invited to join this community offering of gratitude with multitudes on mondays, hosted by the grace-filled Ann Voskamp.
i wondered as i read the list if your friends would recognize themselves! and as i read, i wondered if i have lived selflessly enough lately to match one of your thankfuls….
you would think i could spell my own name! *kendal*
I don’t think I will ever be able to express adequate thanks for the friends God has given me. You’ve honored yours well here.
Beautiful
friends are such a gift. and old friends have that much more lustre 🙂
Sounds like a wonderful weekend Robin! What a blessing to have such friends in your life. They each teach such important lessons. What an amazing gift! 🙂
Old friends are special treasures. Thanks for setting an example of how to celebrate them!
I *adore* your themed gratitude…
I copycat you regularl – in my private journal.
Blessings!
The gift of just the right friend at just the right moment is a blessing!
What a beautiful way to honor your friends! And what a precious treasure to have them. I would be honored beyond measure if even one person could think of me in this way! It’s made me think deeply about friendships and being a friend! Thank you for that!
Kendal,
a) it’s possible some of them will see themselves as someone else 😉 :); b) I love that you “forgot” how to spell your name :).
Nancy, I loved thinking about how to distinguish each friend I saw over the weekend; one is family through marriage, not blood. It’s good, I think, to consider how others have helped shaped us into “who” we’ve become (and continue to become).
You have a wonderful friends list. Like everyone else I was wondering if those friends would recognize themselves in your descriptions. Thank you for your sweet comments. It’s been a tough week, but the Lord is faithful.
P.S. My niece is on a two-month mission trip to Nepal/India for the second summer in a row. I saw your Calcutta pic in your sidebar and remembered that you had been there, too.
Daily Grace, Thank you!
Kelly, old friends have more luster…I LIKE that!
Jennifer, after being gone eight years I’m thankful to see more clearly how each person has helped shape me. I don’t think I could see that forever ago… 🙂
tinuviel, I think if you’re looking for good, that’s exactly what you’ll find :).
Liberty, well, imitation IS the sincerest form of flattery; ya know, I didn’t mean to handle my 1000 gifts this way, it just evolved. 🙂
Stacey, agreed!
Cora, I think you’d be surprised how your friends view you; in a good way :).
Southern Gal, first {{hugs}}. I’ve had plenty of rough weeks and a hug (cyber or real) does a body good :). I hope this week smooths out, thankful you’ve seen the faithfulness of God.
Second, wow…two months. India is a harsh country, although I have no experience with Nepal. But I understand why your niece would want to go back–a piece of Calcutta returned with me…
Robin, as I’m preparing to leave the place where my marriage was nurtured and my babies were born, you remind me to savor this last week with these friends and places. Loved your list!