Today I am celebrating my friends. . Friends have always been a struggle for me. I seem to have a very finicky soul, and rarely do I find someone I click with. Now don’t get me wrong, I have friends, some amazing ones and many who might call themselves friends. But I’ve never had very many real friends and so those I do have I treasure.
My mother used to say, “When times are hard is when you find out who your real friends are. Real friends stick with you through thick and thin, no matter what.” She was right, and I’ve had enough hard times to know who will always have my back. Of course, some friends are those you know immediately; they are what Anne of Green Gables would have described as a bosom friend, a true soul sister/brother. Some assume the title then disappear when needed. Some weren’t those I expected to see at my back, those I didn’t even know were my friends. I hadn’t opened my eyes to see them. Today I am reminded to appreciate both the tree and its leaves.
Day 35 of social distancing and the cat has been asking to go out for several hours. New times, new schedule, and access to outside has moved up from 6 to 9 am. On my stoop is a reusable xmas-themed shopping bag, with the handles tied. It’s raining. I grab it and take it, dripping, to the kitchen counter. Inside were two items, each, seemingly, chosen especially for us. For me: a beautiful asian-style tea set. For my husband: a large coffee table art book.
The bag held no card, though the bag was labeled “Trey’s holiday gifts” in grease pencil. No idea who Trey is and I’m so curious: who left such a thoughtful gift? While I pondered this question, I sent out feelers. Who knew I liked teapots and tea, or that my husband was an artist. Who knew that and knew where we lived?
Really, there weren’t that many choices. I was about to throw my hands in the air when I realized it didn’t matter. This thought had popped out from some dark hidden corner of my brain. Given light it began to grow, blossoming into a full blown idea with an epiphany center: It didn’t matter who sent it. What mattered was the reminder to open your eyes and your heart; True friends are rare jewels that often live in hidden spaces.
Hours later: My husband gets up and I start to tell him about this bag and he’s like, “oh you mean that one with the teapot? Yeah, someone left that outside of work months ago, I wondered if you might want the teapot.”
Hmm hope I translated the universe’s message right.
Broomstick Musings 