This is the Willow Tree figurine "friendship". [I gave one of these to my dear friend Christine for Christmas 2019] I have been thinking about friendship a lot recently. I have some friends who I've known forever, others I have only met recently. Some I see often, others I see rarely.
And some friends [Kezzie, Bless, Lesley, Nicky, PomPom et al...] who I only know through the blog, yet they are still dear to me. One day perhaps I will get to meet them.
The pandemic has made it so much harder for us to relate as we'd like to. A local friend rang on Saturday to say her husband had died. Bob and I visited her - and I so wanted to give her a hug, but couldn't.
But I appreciate my friends so much - I had a WhatsApp out of the blue from a friend back in Dorset "just thinking of you and hoping retirement it OK...etc". It arrived at just the right moment. Someone else has just become a Grandma, and I sent a small gift for the baby - her thank you card was lovely. The picture was pretty - but the words inside were really special.
I recently asked a favour of a much younger friend, who I haven't seen since I left Leicester. She is kindly helping me out and was genuinely delighted to be able to do so.
Friends value one another, help one another, encourage one another [and sometimes gently point us back to the right path if we are going astray] Friends are loving, but honest.
Let us not take our friends for granted - remember to say thank you
Let us never assume we can only be friends with 'people like us'
and let us try to befriend the friendless, because friendship is a blessing we should share
This was my Christmas gift from Chris in 2019.
This is a lovely post. Yes, we should value our friends and say thank you. I thank YOU for our friendship!x
ReplyDeleteI'm sure we will manage to meet up sometime, Kezzie!
DeleteHow right you are...I fear I'm not as good a friend as I should be, sometimes...
ReplyDeleteI suspect your friends may disagree with you. Your blog is always full of kind words and thoughtfulness for others
DeleteFriends are truly to be treasured Ang, and I have been so touched by the messages and calls that I have had. You are a very special friend, even more so because we have actully met.
ReplyDeleteIt was a real joy to visit your home and spend time with you both. I'm so glad you're recovering well and have friends and family close by.
DeleteThis is so true. I am so glad to consider you a "Virtual" friend and have a lot of trust in you. Thank you for your concern and support.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jan ❤️🙏
DeleteThat figurine reminded me of the one I received from a very dear friend whose cat I looked after regularly. It was the same kind but a seated angel with a cat in her arms. It comes out every Christmas with my small angel collection but I have no problem remembering that friend all the time, she passed in 2018. When we age we lose some friends, and our others, present, distant or even virtual become ever more precious.
ReplyDeleteFor every Willow Tree angel that is sold, a donation goes to a women's cancer charity, which makes them an extra special gift I think.
DeleteI'm hoping I am the Nicky mentioned! I so value your friendship to everyone on the blog whom you serve by posting something wise or practical or thoughtful or funny every day. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteBut of course! Your kind 'off-blog' emails have been such an encouragement to me.
DeleteI love what you've written but at the moment I'm feeling rather disappointed in many of my "friends". I try to be a good friend - never forget birthdays, call or email frequently, always ready to share a coffee or a meal and to be there as a sounding board or a shoulder to cry on.
ReplyDeleteLately I've found that I'm not treated in the same way - in fact I feel taken for granted and it has made me feel rather sad these past few weeks. I'll just keep reading your lovely blog and take comfort in your interesting posts.
Oh Margie I am so sorry to read this. I know how hard you work in your church and community to bless others. I think that the pandemic has affected folk in different ways. Some (like yourself) have been aware of the need to give added help to those who are isolated or struggling in some way. Others have been so caught up in their own distress they have sometimes forgotten that others are affected too. That's especially hard for those of us who are usually the strong ones who cope with everything - we all have wobbly moments sometimes. Hang in there... these things shall pass. I'm praying that a true friend calls you up soon, to listen and encourage you ❤️🙏❤️
DeleteLovely post, Angela. Thank you for including me in your list of blog friends. Some of my blog friends know me even better than some of my in real life friends! LOL.
ReplyDeleteI love reading your blog, and imagining your life on the other side of the pond, Bless
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