Consolation

I got a package in the mail today.  I didn't know what it was.  When I saw who had sent it, I welled up with emotion.  She lost her father not long ago and I knew she understood.  I knew she really felt with her whole heart the grief that has swallowed me up these past two months.  When I opened the package the gift was wrapped.  Another unnecessary kindness, thoughtfulness.  It was wrapped in pink and green leopard print tissue paper.  So Victoria.  The book is called In Loving Memory.  I knew it would be perfect.  I started to thumb through the first few pages and the tears came tumbling out.  She didn't know that I love books of quotes but somehow she knew it was just what I needed.  Thank you, Victoria.  You are a rare and beautiful treasure of a friend.

I have been surrounded by kind gifts and gestures and words of love and cards of comfort for the past three weeks.  I have the best friends.

A girl I go to church with but don't really know that well brought me cookies, flowers, and a card.  Neighbors have all stopped by to tell me how sorry they are and ask if there is anything they can do.  Hugs.  So many good hugs.  Phone calls.  Bread, pie, cake.  Babysitting.  Kisses.

My best friend had a painting of my sister commissioned and sent it to my parents.

My friend Angela came over today so our kids could play and we could all have lunch together.  She brought me a beautiful potted plant.  She said she was going to get me a green plant but after watching my slideshow/video/photo tribute to my sister she decided she needed something more colorful.  It is an African violet, sun-loving and beautiful.  She never met Sarah but she said just from the photos she could tell that suited her more and she wanted me to think of Sarah whenever I looked at the plant.  My sister was colorful and beautiful and sun-loving.
Thank you.

Thanks to all of you who have extended your love in such meaningful ways to me and my family recently.  We are so blessed to have friends like you.