Monday, August 10, 2009

When I was little,
I used to believe in the concept of one best friend,
And then I became a woman.
And found out that if you allow your heart to open up, God would show you the best in many friends.

One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man.
Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your mom.
Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your children and their activities.
Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.
One friend will say, 'Let's cry together,'
Another , 'Let's fight together,'
Another , 'Let's walk away together.'

One friend will meet your spiritual need,
Another your shoe fetish,
Another your love for movies,
Another will be with you in your season of confusion,
Another will be your clarifier,
Another the wind beneath your wings.

But whatever their assignment in your life,
On whatever the occasion,
On whatever the day,
Or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back,
Or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself .
Those are your best friends.

It may all be wrapped up in one woman, But for many, it's wrapped up in several..
One from 7th grade,
One from high school,
Several from the college years,
A couple from old jobs,
On some days your mother,
On some days your neighbor,
On others, your sisters,
And on some days, your daughters.

Don't break the elastic!
In April, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70 birthday. Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older.
And, there on television, she said it was 'exciting.' Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day...like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first.

The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such an honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!
Maya Angelou said this:
"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.?
"I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.
"I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life.'
"I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back.
"I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.
"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
"I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
"I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Summer on the Prairie



It's the 10th of August, and yesterday we had our first real smoke-filled day. We assume that the smoke is from a fire somewhere in Utah, which yesterday, involved over 44,000 acres. It's been an amazing summer. One, the humidity has stayed around 30 or above, and we've more rainy days than in the last few years. Our yard and the surrounding hills are still green, though the native grasses have matured to a light golden color. Secondly, the temperature has rarely been above 90* F--the highest so far. Most of the summer has been spent with temps ranging in the mid 70's to mid 80's. Nice, but a little hard on the things you try to grow in your garden. And, thirdly, there is still water in the creek. Early summer rains and late spring snows have recharge several of the nearby springs.
We watched a family of robins nest and fledge in a nest built on a buffalo skull, next to our front door. The view from the kitchen window was fantastic. We pray at least on of the 4 chicks made it. All a part of God's amazing design and provision.