Landon was home for the weekend. It is always better when that happens. We have a ton of fun when he comes.... it is a lot more noisy, loud and just the right amount of over the top nonsensical behavior. It has gotten quite a bit more quiet since McKenna and Braden left for their missions. Yes, the noise has become a welcome beautiful thing.
We had a really nice church service. Felt a great spirit there and left edified, tanks filled, ready to accelerate for the upcoming week.
But first the rest of Sunday afternoon was still there ahead of us... to make of it what we would. A beautiful block of time, just waiting to see what we would do.
First, there was feasting... when it comes to food, we usually don't fool around. We plough, we troll, we dredge.... No sissy salads, nuh uh! We consume with gusto. Then, we launch ourselves onto our comfy sectional and crash.... hoping to recover from the pain we just submitted ourselves to.
I know, pretty awesome so far huh?
Today was just slightly different. We had a special guest. It was Abby, Braden's friend. We love Abby. We don't know her all the way yet, but yes, we do love her. I think we started loving her when we saw a new twinkle in Braden's eye. So subtle, so soft, so almost nothing... but the corner of his firm smile turned up just enough for those close enough to watch to see..... yes, there was something there. No words were necessary... that is the essence of Braden.
Abby came over (*She's the pretty one in the back) and spent time with us. It was so much fun. We got to talk about Braden so much. To see her expressions and reactions that were so heartfelt to her made my heart hurt so good. To know there is someone that knows Braden so well.... to his core.... and accepts him for who he is. The care, the concern was so authentic. I couldn't help but be pulled in. She reminded me of what true friendship really is. I will never tire of Gibran's definition:
On Friendship
Kahlil Gibran
Your friend is your needs answered.
He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.
And he is your board and your fireside.
For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.
When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the "nay" in your own mind, nor do you withhold the "ay."
And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;
For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.
When you part from your friend, you grieve not;
For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.
And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.
For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.
And let your best be for your friend.
If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.
For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?
Seek him always with hours to live.
For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.
And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.
Actually, now reading it again... they both reminded me of what friendship is really all about. It has been a bit since I have seen it so well worn by two. It fits these two as well as any I know.
Time flew, we hugged her goodbye. We felt refreshed, refilled, renewed.
(But we did make time for chocolate Dunford donuts with vanilla bean ice cream. Scrumptious)
A beautiful Sunday visit....
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