Thursday, April 05, 2012

Tom and I just returned from our friend's memorial service, well, from the luncheon afterward.

What a delight to visit with old friends who we'd not seen in months or years, but oh, I do wish the occasion had been a different one.

I am still reeling, still unable to believe there is no more John here other than the John of my memories. And I'm glad I have lots of memories--I'm grateful we had many lunches together with John and Donna down through the years, grateful, too , that they often dropped by our farm on whims even though we lived way out in the country. Or perhaps that was partly why, for they both enjoy countryside drives as Tom and I do.

Never before have we lost a good local friend and less than a year ago we experienced the first loss of a faraway true close friend. Tom and I are at that age, the beginning of a time when these things will happen more regularly--

--and oh, the lessons. Get together now while you can. Share meals and stories and adventures and make many, many memories, for someday they may be what carries you along until you meet again whole years later in a faraway place from these shores.

And that's what I thought about while Tom and I sat at the luncheon with one especially dear old friend who we'd not seen in way too many years. He and his wife are so special to us yet Life loves to erect barriers which keep us from visiting. But sometimes you must push past all that and make things happen, make more memories, so that when you've reached the end you can look back and see that --with as much as it was up to you--things went the way God wanted them to.

For I believe that to be an important thing.


*************************

6 comments:

Rita said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. Yes, it is that time in life. But oh that does not help the feeling of loss.

Echoes From the Hill said...

I'm so sorry that your friend, John, passed away. It is a shock when someone goes quickly.
I have two pieces of art that Donna did for me, and I love them. I pray that she will find peace.
nancyr

Elizabeth said...

Praying for you and Tom today. It is hard to lose loved ones. We have lost many over the years,but time does take away the pain and replace it with wonderful memories.

Tracy said...

So sorry for your loss, Debra. But thank you for the timely reminder to spend with those we love now while they are here with us.

Bonnie said...

Oh, Debra, so sorry that you have lost your friend, John. These losses leave a void that I'm not sure are ever completely filled. Prayer is the only answer.

I don't know where this week went, but I sure got behind in reading your blog. Hope I can catch up this weekend. Looks like you have many links to check out.

So sorry about your frustrations with everything. When it rains, it pours.

Robin in New Jersey said...

Thank you for the reminder to get together with friends. Now to just convince my husband that it's important.