Saturday, January 04, 2014

Friendship Etc.

     So, my friend of 37 years, Gretchen, found my blog and enjoyed reading some of my entries- she left me a comment and it had only been, oh, since 2012 since I've spoken to her.  I called her this evening and we had a wonderful chat on the phone.  I met Gretchen when we both worked at Skaggs Community Hospital in Branson in 1976.  We worked in dietary, setting up trays, delivering them, and then, the worst part of all, scraping and loading all the dishes, silverware, cups and glasses as they came back to the dishwasher room from all the patients.  Gretchen and I became fast friends - she was an "older" person and I, a young 21 year old whippersnapper.  She was single with 4 young kids - me, I was just newly married in April of that year.  We kept in touch regularly as our lives took different turns, first writing long letters, then phone calls, then emailing.  In the past few years, however, not quite as often, but when we do,we pick up our conversation where we left off.  She's a survivor, and was for many years, on a quest for a relationship with God.  I was privileged to be a part of that journey and I have learned much from her.  So it was good to hear her voice and make her laugh, and just connect with her once again.
     I'm sure no one else is following or reading this blog and that's fine - I write so infrequently it doesn't really matter.  Last time I wrote regularly was when I was going without Facebook for 30 days - wonder if I should try that again this Lenten season?  I'm wading through "Scarred Faith", a book my brother gave me.  Perhaps a 30 day Facebook fast and a re-reading of that treatise of suffering would be good for me.
     2014 - what can I say!  It'll be interesting. Hope to write often.  How about you?