This past week has been a good friend week. I got to chat with some friends on the phone, that I don’t normally get to talk to. And, I had some great online chats with some friends too. You know, friendships don’t always have to be face-to-face. Some of my best friendships are with people who live far away and I don’t get to see very often. I’m going to tell you about one of them today.
But first, I want you to tell me about one friend who made an impression on your life this week. You can leave me a comment. But, even better, I’d love for you to post about that person on your blog or Facebook page, and link up below. The link-up is a great way to meet new friends! And you can never have too many friends!
One of my very dearest friends in all the world is my friend Amy. We met in the spring of 2004. At that time, I was getting ready to homeschool Gracie – and bring Ashley back home from a few year stint in the local public school system. I was looking for an online support group, because I wasn’t finding what I needed locally.
That was back in the day when MSN chat groups were very popular. I found one that sounded like it might be a good fit, and requested to join it. It was in that group that I met Amy. I liked her from the very beginning. But, I remember one specific time, in particular, when we stayed up chatting, late into the night – sharing a bit about our lives and some of the tough moments we had been through. And it was then that we really connected and I knew we’d be friends for a long time.
Here it is, 9 years and several different chat groups later. We’ve been through a LOT of changes. But, I still call Amy a precious friend!
We had the opportunity to first meet Amy and her 3 boys when we traveled to Ohio to visit friends and passed right through her area. We met up with Amy, had a great field trip to a local historical center, and enjoyed a nice lunch together before we had to move on. Unfortunately, I have searched all my computers – and my house from top to bottom (literally) – and I can’t find those pictures from that trip!
The next year, a group of families from our chat group met up in the Cincinnati area for a visit to the Creation Museum. I do have the pictures from that trip, but none of just me and Amy together. (Do you ever look back and wish you would have taken more pictures? Or been in more pictures, instead of always behind the camera? Yeah, me too!)
In March of 2010, I called Amy while sitting in the hospital waiting room. My friend Sue was dying, and I just needed to hear Amy’s voice. She was the first person I thought of to call. We had both had a very rough year. Me, dealing with Sue’s cancer and Amy, dealing with the recent break-up of her marriage. (I just have to interject here and say that I could get these posts written a lot faster if I didn’t spend so much time typing through tears! But tears are sometimes a good thing, right?)
Anyway, the next thing I know, Amy and another friend were on their way to my house. They spent a few nights with us right after Sue passed away. Basically, we just sat here and talked. And cried. And laughed. It was such an emotional time for all of us.
Of course, there had to be some pictures taken to document our time together. Too bad I had been crying and look like a hag, because Amy always looks beautiful, no matter what! She makes me feel like a frump, and I love her anyway! Here was a picture of us, being silly through the tears:
We all need friends that we can be silly with. In the hard times, a little silliness can really be of help.
It’s been 3 years since I’ve last seen Amy. During that time, she’s gotten remarried to a marvelous guy who loves her the way she deserves to be loved. I still miss Sue (which is what inspired this friendship series in the first place); but each day I am healing. Amy and I still chat as often as we can. Recently, she’s agreed to be my accountability partner, as I am on a mission to take off some weight. She’s also started writing a monthly column for Homeschool Mosaics called Patchwork Family (check it out!)
Every time we talk, it usually involves both laughing and crying – and that’s ok. If you have a friend you can cry with, chances are that’s a friend for life!
Amy – you are precious to me! I can’t imagine my life without you in it. Thank you for being a real, true friend!
