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A Dear Friend Has Passed Away

 

I am musing...

 So, a dear friend has passed away. 

She was taken home. Quickly. Totally unexpectedly. She was young (well relatively speaking) and vivacious. She was a loving Child of God. A dear wife, mother, grandma and friend (to many). She had a servant heart. A huge one. 

We used to "do life" together in many ways...  sharing conversations, Tuesday evening singings for shut-ins, working  on committees, attending potlucks, going on group Christmas shopping trips, appreciating the special friendship that our daughters share. Precious memories from back when we lived there, in her home town. 

She came to have a special place in my heart. Miles, time and subsequent moves would not change that.

Well, back in October, I saw her at the grocery store in a nearby town, (where it is not unusual to run into those we know from here and there). I happened to be in a big hurry. On a mission if you will. I had to quick grab the items on my list and get home for a scheduled Zoom meeting. It was important. I thought.

I (now regrettably) decided to not take my cart over to her at that time. I totally thought and hoped that I would run into her at some time during my shopping. After all, that often happens. I looked for her as I went up and down the isles. Surprisingly, disappointedly, I do not recall seeing her again. 

Later, after I got home (and the Zoom meeting :), I Facebook messaged her. I am so glad now that I did. We had a short but sweet back and forth. A connection. A reach-out. A reassurance of our care and love.

But if you would have told me, that that may have been the last time I ever would have seen my friend, I would hardly have believed it. Who would have thought?

It makes me realize the value of the moment. The blessings of opportunities. The gift of time. The treasure of connection.

Relationships are gifts from God. Let's not take them for granted.

May we be thankful for those moments God puts before us, to touch a life, to reach out, to let another know that we love and care.

We will miss you sweet Anna. You have flown home to the glories that await all God's children. Thanks for the memories. They are precious. And thanks for showing us Jesus!


                                            



Comments

  1. Kristal StahlFebruary 2, 2022 at 2:58 PM

    So true. Life is so short, it is but a vapor that quickly vanished it away. My dad passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in 2020... it is still hard to believe it really happened. I still remember the last time i saw him and the last thing I said. I'm thankful but it is mind boggling.

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