There are people who walk into our lives, pull up a chair, plop down with a satisfied sigh, look us in the eyes, make us laugh, and it’s like they’ve been there forever.
Isn’t it fun when one of those folks comes into your life?
Two years ago a pretty special somebody walked in. She took my world by storm, at a time when the only storms we’d had in the past few months were bad ones.
But she was a good one.
The kind that clears the air, gives you a rush with the great breezes, and leaves everything brighter and clearer and fresher once it’s blown through.
That’s what being with her is like. The air is charged, the conversation always lively, and best of all, she’s the kind of friend that takes you on as family. She is a loyal one. Once you belong to her, you always belong to her. And when she laughs…..we all get tickled.
She is a beautiful, strong woman busy loving on folks and raising two strong young men. And she never lets grass grow under her feet. She inspires me with her energy, her courage, her humor, and her honesty. She calls it like it is, and she sees with a clarity I wish I had. She makes me wish I could be very much like her when I grow up.
This evening as we sat around the table way past mealtime (don’t some of the best conversations happen around the table?), she was listening to Aub share a story of some of the goings on in her life. She held up a hand as if to stop her and said, “Wait. Hold up. What you should have said right there was,” *clap* *finger pointed*”‘No, I don’t think so.'”
Wow. I like it.
I like what it says. And its flexibility for different situations. It sets up boundaries with no room for misinterpretation. “No, I don’t think so, you’re not going to treat me that way.” “No, I don’t think so, I’m not going to be your pawn anymore.” “No, I don’t think so, I’ve got enough on my plate right now.” “No, I don’t think so, I’m not going to let your issues become my issues.” “No, I don’t think so, I appreciate your offer of help–but I’ve got this.” “No, I don’t think so, I’d rather not share this with anyone.”
These words just might be my new magic words. Pair them with “Isn’t that nice?” and we’ve got a winning combination, I think.
Beautiful.
Just like my friend who made the time to visit and abide with us today. Who listened and shared her wisdom with me and my girl. Who laughed with us, teared up with us, and who loves us. Her laughter filled more than our home today, it filled my heart. And bless her, she even rolls her eyes with us and for us. We may not get together very often, but she is a true sisterfriend, and she and her family have shown up for each of the joys and the heartbreaks in our lives ever since our meeting two years ago.
When you’ve got a friend who rolls her eyes for you, don’t let her go. And if anyone tries to mess that up, you just clap, snap, and point, and let them know, “No, I just don’t think so.”
A real treasure…..and I am thankful for her.
—For those of you praying for and thinking about Aub’s friend, Miss K, she is getting stronger. She is still in hospital and has a long way to go, but she is awake and alert and sharing her own thoughts and updates on Facebook. Please continue to keep her and her journey in your thoughts and prayers. But thank you for traveling this far with her and all of her sisters at Wesleyan. They will be so happy when she is able to return. As will we all.
I Might Need A Nap 