When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares. ~ Henri NouwenGod smiled on me today. I asked Him for this.
And now my friend is coming.
My squealing may have woken the neighbors. The windows shook when I danced. I feel light, expectant. Hopeful.
And that, in itself, is a kind of wellness.
She has offered words to heaven when it seemed every prayer I uttered fell in a tattered heap at my feet. She has cried with me, prayed with me. She laughs with me and celebrates with me. Somehow, she sits with me across the miles. I love her.
And we will be together again soon. Such a gift. Read her beautiful words here.
christianne & kirsten photo by kirk
{february 2008}
{february 2008}
This is very exciting. Sorry I didn't get back to you, I was on a ride in the mountains and got home to late. I sure do hope that your weekend was a grand one. I pray that this finds you dancing to the rhythms of His grace.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Ah, someday I'd love to meet you both face-to-face and eat up all the laughter.
ReplyDelete("Taste the happiness, Michael." "It tastes a lot like the sadness.")
okay, this post brought a huge smile to my face, along with some little tears in the eyes. this is such a blessing. i'm so thankful for how God worked it out when we started praying. i love you, friend. can't wait to wrap my arms around you!!
ReplyDeleteYay! for friendships and get-together's and wrapping and laughing and crying and praying and lovin! xx
ReplyDeleteKirsten, I know you have been really down, but i am the bearer of good tidings. I have a home grown pot plant that i am gonna fed-ex to ya. I had to send one to Terri when she was in the hospital.
ReplyDeleteTrust me, it'll cure anything that ails ya. No worries Kirsten, God does not have a problem with herbal healing He is all for it.
Pot has many medicinal and spiritual uses, if you have any problems being led by the spirit, this is a very fast cure. Just for you i will even throw in a few voodoo elixers.
I know you guys will have fun. I told Christianne she should bring you a souvenir from Florida, a baby pet alligator. Don't worry Kirsten, they are really tamable, IF you allow them to inhale a whole lot of pot fumes. Love ya
take it easy.
Someone alert the town of Bellingham. These two are together again, only trouble can ensue (lol)
ReplyDeletecaleb - i am VERY excited for my christianne-girl to come visit me!!
ReplyDeleteheather - wouldn't that be fun?!
christianne - sigh. this is such a blessing to me, too. i can't wait either. in the meantime, i'll watch the span of time that stands between us get shorter & shorter. i'm deeply thankful that God is giving this to us yet again. i am still pinching myself!!
periwinkle - ditto!! i agree ... YAY!!
tammy - there are no words to respond to such a comment!! thanks for making me laugh, i can always count on you for that.
carl - i know ... i'm not sure that bellingham can handle the two of us together!!
Oh yes! Celebrate.
ReplyDelete(That is one of my favorite photos of you two. And I believe it was taken at one of my favorite beaches. : )
so, so wonderful. that's really all i can think of to say right now. you deserve all of the love this conveys, and so much more.
ReplyDelete:) This is so wonderful, for the both of you. I first read about the reunion on Christianne's blog and my heart soared. I once had a virtual friend I'd hoped to one day share a reality with and unfortunately life came between it all and it never happened, but I imagine that if it had, it would have been as magical and wonderful as your meeting and friendship!!!! Blessings on both of you!!! ♥
ReplyDeleteI am soooooo glad for you!!! A friend just came all the long way north to spend a delirious weekend with me, helping me recoup from the school year. Her kindredness always helps me find myself. She oozes God's love. Her smile makes me feel this deep, undisturbable peace. I know Christianne will give you some of the same....
ReplyDeletehello, gorgeous girl. i just stopped over to be close to you for a moment. i love that henri nouwen quote. i can't read it enough times. i'm working on a post that circles around another profoundly powerful henri nouwen quote i can't get enough of today. love you . . .
ReplyDeletel.l. - that is easily one of my favorite photos also. and yes, that was taken at playa linda (at least i think that's the name of the beach)!
ReplyDeleteterri - thank you so much. all this love means so much to me. i look forward to sharing a real-life visit with you one day. won't that be fun!?
claudia - christianne is such a special & amazing girl and i can't believe i get two visits with her in one year!! thank you for your warm wishes for us. ;o)
joelle - if anyone i know oozes God's love, it's Christianne. i can't wait to see her again!!
christianne - hey, girl. that henri nouwen quote is so heavy with the truth. love that you love it, because you immediately pop to mind when i read it. i look forward to seeing what new quote of his is rolling around your mind these days.
how do you two keep getting so lucky? i'm so excited that you get to hang out again. wish i could join in....
ReplyDelete