My friend’s husband recently died.
He was young. He made me laugh. He made my friend laugh. They enjoyed life together.
We didn’t know each other well, but my friend and I had connected on a trip, then stayed in touch. We have a lot in common, and I was so glad to get to spend time with her and her husband a couple times in the last couple years.
When I learned he had died, I immediately knew I should go to the visitation. It would be a long drive and especially difficult with the deadlines looming at work, but if I could make the trip, I would. The weather was nice for travel that day, I went to work early, and I was able to slip away by mid-afternoon.
The drive was such a blessing to me. I sang and prayed and looked around. I appreciated life. I enjoyed the journey.
And I got to hug my friend. I got to see her and know she is doing okay. Not surprisingly, she made me smile and laugh. I went to comfort her, and she comforted me.
That’s good friendship.
I got back on the road right away and savored the trip home.
Life is hard. It goes by quickly. How we journey through it matters. Take the trip. Hug a friend. Look around and sing. Take new paths and reconnect on the well-known ones. People matter. Let them know.
