Willingness

My friend Ron is in the lawn chair. 1981

Friends are the people in our lives whom we choose to love.

The love between us is unconditional.

A true friend understands the essence of what makes us who we are.

Speaking and listening between friends is comfortable and safe.

I was suffering through my third miscarriage. When I say suffering, I mean the emotional pain of glad expectation, lost in a heartbeat. My friend and his wife were visiting us to give their love and support.

I was indeed having a pity party as we set in the family room together, when I sadly exclaimed, "I will never be the same again."

Thoughtfully Ron asked me, "Do you think that's all bad?"

I pondered his response, which was given in love.

I was stunned. Then my soul quieted.

I was rescued from my grief by one perfect simple question.

I was reminded once again to rest in God when nothing made sense.

In time I realized that my losses would prepare me to reach out to others who were in need.

No, I will never be the same. I believed it in 1982 and I believe it today.

Unexpected change can be a very good thing, if we can pull ourselves out of the darkness that life can send, into the real world again.

I'm glad that we never stop growing.