The Good Times Came First

Erin and her daughter Elise enjoyed a boat ride on this gorgeous summer day. Erin and I were humbled in a game of water volleyball by Farmer and Will. We couldn't even blame it on the sun in our eyes cause we switched sides and still got our clocks cleaned...

Will and Erin were students of mine at Heritage and it brings me ceaseless joy to watch them follow Christ, raise children, become the people they are. They make me want to throw my fists in the air and cheer, maybe even attempt a cartwheel and break my neck. My laughing partner, Connie - 4mo. pregant. Unbelievable. I just hate that I can't be with her during this time and watch her grow, hear her excitement and concern. Instant Messaging just doesn't convey that drama as well as face to face. I don't know how many basketball games she and I watched as our husbands coached during those Heritage years. She's the kind of friend who can make you laugh so hard, you can't sit upright, then turn around and have a conversation that stirs the deeper waters in your soul. She turns a prism in her hand, thinking of different angles, showing you new lights. And that is why she will be one groovy mama. Will and Erin's baby Irelyn. One happy chick. Farmer in mini-golf mode: "Go to your home!!!" I have a wonderful little brother, but if I ever had a big brother, this would be the guy. Farmer and I taught together at Heritage back in Kalamazoo. He was high school Math, me English. We watched kids come and go as we became a big sister/ big brother to many of them. He has a heart the size of Montana. His combination laugh of a weeze and a chuckle brings back all those Heritage memories. It's great fun to make a grown man laugh.

Friendship that supercedes the environment, the circumstance, is such a treasure these days. The kind of friendship that falls into such a wonderful rhythm no matter how much time passes or where you happen to be.
"What life have we if we have not life together?" -T.S. Eliot