The Blessing of a Life-long Friend & A Plate Update

"Decorative Dinner Plates" on the front office wall.

Front Office Plate Update:  Some of you have asked and I almost forgot to share. My boss finally noticed the food pictures on the plates 5 days after I stuck them on. Marisa was supposed to text me when someone noticed, but apparently she forgot. No one else has noticed up to this point.

Today, I had the pleasure of going to lunch with my friend Jennifer. We have been friends since the 6th grade. I won't say how many years ago that was, but suffice to say it's a lot. My friendship with Jennifer has taken many twists and turns throughout the years. There were times when we lived hundreds of miles from each other. There were times when we had chosen different paths that did not meet. The amazing thing is that no matter where life has taken us, whenever we get back together it is as if not a single day has passed. We share our stories, laughs, sorrows, regrets, and joys, just like we did in 6th grade. What is even more funny is that Jennifer and I couldn't be more different. We have always been that way and we have always easily accepted each other just as God made us. Every time I spend a day with Jennifer I laugh, and not just a little chuckle here and there, but a good old fashioned belly laugh. Perhaps, that is because nearly every time I spend a day with Jennifer something weird happens. Generally speaking it isn't anything we do....stuff just happens.
Not so many months ago Jennifer and I got together for lunch at the local "greasy spoon". (Actually, the spoons are quite clean. My daughter is the dishwasher there, and she is quite meticulous.) We chose a table at the front window. As we sat enjoying lunch an older gentleman drove up and was attempting to parallel park in front of my car. Jennifer and I watched as the man worked for several minutes trying to get his car into the enormous spot in front of my car. As we watched, the conversation went something like this:
"He's going to hit my car."
"No, he isn't. He's got plenty of room."
"He's going to hit my car."
"No he isn't!"
"Yes, he is!"
"He will not!"
"Yes, he will!"
Each time we commented our conversation became more excited and animated. That if course drew the attention of the other diners and before long everyone, including the waitress, was looking out the front window to see what was going to happen. (Note this is a good indicator that you live in a small town. Everyone takes an interest in your business.)
He hit my car.
Everyone in the restaurant took in a collective gasp. Jennifer and I burst out laughing. I told her so! He didn't hit my car hard. I don't even think he knew did it, or he used the impact as an indicator to know he was parked. He climbed out of his compact car and shuffled off down the street to his destination, seemingly oblivious to what he had done. When we finished lunch, I went out to look at the front of my car. There wasn't a mark that I could see. He jostled my car around a bit, and other than a little bend in the license plate, there wasn't any damage that I could see.
Jennifer and I have a treasure trove of "incidents", that have seasoned our friendship over the years. I sometimes wonder what is going to happen next, but I try to leave that in God's hands and not worry about it. Every outing with Jennifer is an adventure.

All this to say, that I am blessed to have such a friendship in my life. It is the long lasting, enduring kind that is for real. Jennifer is for real. Our friendship is for real. I am grateful to God for Jennifer and the joy she has brought to my life over the years. I truly count her as one of my many blessings!

 

My friend Jennifer!

 

Summer 2012