a gift

Category: memories | Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 10:25 pm

I have known my friend for all but six years of my life. We grew up on the same street, and were the only daughters in families filled with boys. We were sisters, even if our last names and mothers were different.
Through the years, we have managed to stay in touch, though, when we became adults, we were living on opposite sides of the country.
This spring she needed to return to the area to be with her mom, whom was in failing health and needed constant care for her ending days.
For a few days every now and then, she could arrange to take a break and she would visit me for a day or two. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding these visits, I enjoyed her company and was happy she could feel she was home and relax for a while.
The last days of June brought an end to her journey and she spent almost a week with me before returning home.
We spent time in the back yard talking about our houses, pets, gardens, and families, also what it was like caring for someone getting ready to go the to their next life.
The last time my friend had visited, she had requested seeds from the rose of sharon buses in the yard. Being the slow mover I am, I still hadn't gotten to them almost 2 years later. This time, I spotted two seedlings in my back flower garden, and potted them. I also put in a couple of foxglove and few sprigs of sedum.
I helped her pack her truck, put the pot with the seedlings in the back, and off she went. The plants survived almost 2 weeks in the truck, and are now doing well in their new home.
I feel we both received gifts.

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Comments

Frank wrote on Thu Sep 06, 2007 10:42 pm:

Your friend is lucky to have a friend like you Annette.

eileen wrote on Fri Sep 07, 2007 12:55 am:

This is just the kind of thing I love to hear about Annette - friendships that last almost a whole lifetime.

Your friend will be able to look at her new plants and think of you when she sees them and you will know she IS thinking of you while she watches them grow. No matter how far apart you may be you will always be together because of those 'living' gifts.

cajunbelle wrote on Fri Sep 07, 2007 1:24 am:

True friendship like yours is a wonderful thing.

Annette wrote on Fri Sep 07, 2007 7:28 pm:

actuall, I'm the lucky one!

glendann wrote on Fri Oct 12, 2007 2:01 pm:

I have a friend like that Annette.I know how you feel about her.When my husband and I married he lived next door to Mary and her husband and son.Its been 46 yrs and we are sisters in our heart and mind.She cares nothing about plants but she enjoys visiting the Stew.