There have been endless times this year where I have just felt filled with blessings. There is no doubting for me that my life has been blessed beyond measure, so much so that there are times I feel guilty for having it so darn good. Lately I have felt very endowed with friendship. Traveling gives you many opportunities to see that, it allows you to be grateful for the friendship you make on the road, and it reminds you of how much you miss the friendships you have at home.
Yesterday I received a gift in the mail from my friend and my couch surfing host in Ireland. I could hardly contain myself trying to open up that package and when I did my heart melted. Before looking through anything I became overcome with such a feeling of gratefulness for good friends. You see to me, friendship has never been an easy thing. I have many acquaintances in my life but it has always been hard for me to call someone a true friend. Even people I hang out with every once in a while I would just consider an acquaintance. A dear friend once said about me "she shares herself selflessly with those she trusts and earning that trust you should make your sole mission" and it is true. Unless I fully trust someone I cant quite get to that friendship level. At times I feel it is a fault as it means I am not surrounded by a large group of friends, but on the other hand I find it such a gift as the friends I have are some of the most beautiful gifts I know. Regardless, that day I needed a friend and sure enough, my friend showed up.
So back to this package, I cant explain how much it meant to me, but in short it was a reminder of another beautiful friendship I have made that is so very cherished. The package contained a few items, a few of them I wont bother explaining but two of them blessed me so very much. First was a small black sheep teddy. With Ireland being as filled with sheep as it is, it wasn't surprising that sheep were the topic of many conversations. Sheep have always been meaningful to me; because of their personality, because of their relation to the scripture, and because of the classic black sheep (a good friend of mine). Anyway, Kevin and I spoke about this many times so when I received my little teddy it made me feel so special. There is nothing better in the whole wide world than a thoughtful gift.
On our drive to the post office Tiffany and I were talking about a friend of hers who had got into a bad accident and how broken his Mom is over it. She spoke about wanting to do something but knowing what it was like to be on the receiving end and having nothing make things better no matter how hard people tried. The pain of a mother especially during that time is something that cannot be calmed regardless how good someone's intentions are. However, when Tiffany and I opened the second gift from Kevin, I saw a tiny shimmer of that hopelessness fade. Through her tears and laughter while opening her gift of a beautiful silver bracelet with celtic engraving that said Kiya, I saw a broken hearted mother receive joy in the midst of her pain. I too received an engraved necklace that said Jenelle, but the real gift was sharing that moment with Tiffany. It really was one of the best gifts imaginable.
I don't know what was special about Ireland, but it was a place that made me miss Kiya a lot. I spoke about her and my sister endlessly and Kevin just listened. He didn't try to make things better, or find some wisdom filled advise to pass along to my sister, although he too has had many heart aches because of cancer he didn't try to relate, he didn't change the subject, he didn't get uncomfortable. He was simply a friend, I was able to talk, rant, cry as much as I wanted and he just received it. I knew through some of the thoughts Kevin shared with me that Kiya and Tiffany had touched his life but by no means did I think he would be going out of his way to make such a thoughtful gesture to my sister. Thank you, thank you Kevin for the most perfect gift.
On my travels I was able to meet some beautiful people. People who made me laugh, entertained me, kept me company, challenged me, taught me, opened my eyes...I am grateful for those people but I cannot explain the gratitude of the real friendship that was made on my journey. If I could encourage someone right now, I would challenge them to think of one person that has been heavy on their hearts or on their mind and do something for them. As small as the act may seem to you, it could mean healing and hope for someone else. Kevin blessed me with friendship, he spoiled me with the most thoughtful gifts I have received in a long time, but most of all he offered my sister a gift that is irreplaceable and for that I am grateful for friendship.
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