My Grandmother Benesh taught me something nearly 40 years ago.
She said "You will meet at least 100 people, and you will be lucky to find one who you could consider a true friend."
She described the difference between an acquaintance and a friend. The traits she shared that would be key were honesty,trustworthiness,someone who is kind and sensitive to the feelings of others. It would be someone who is willing to meet you in the middle, even when the road is long and hard. And at times, reach out and pull you back up when you have stumbled.
They will laugh and cry with you, and have empathy, not sympathy for you.
She said, "You will know by the deeds and actions of another, rather than their words. You will know your true friend from your heart, rather than from your mind."
This sweet woman showed me unconditional love at a very rough time in my tender years when our family around us was falling apart. All families have a degree of dysfunction. Grandma Benesh was my anchor. I didn't realize it at the time, but she gave me a priceless gift!
I know what unconditional love is and I want to perpetuate her legacy.
My daughter Kristin introduced me to my new anchor, Tara, over 15 years ago.
Oh my Daughter Kristin. She and Bryan were very small when we lost Grandma after her long fight with Alzheimer's Disease, yet I saw those traits in her from a very young age.
Both my children loved church and the Lord, they brought me back to the Lord (where my daughter introduced me to Tara). Eventually their father Steven was saved about one month before they were all three were senselessly murdered during a home invasion/robbery.
How profound a 15 year old young lady to have hand picked the very person who would become entwined in my life with unconditional love and stay by my side throughout the most horrible tragedy one could ever experience.
To call Tara my friend seems like such an under-statement!
Our being placed together by Kristin was DIVINE...guided by the hand of the Lord...
~Gerri
I just got a call from Tara, her Grandmother is VERY ill, and they may experience her loss soon. Another loss to bear and I wish, I could be there right by her side, to hug and console her. I want to do the very thing for her, she did for me, and I am so frustrated distance won't allow me to finally have the opportunity, to be there for her. I will Pray and my heart hurts for her. She has a wonderful Husband to support her through this..I'm so sorry <3 <3 :(
ReplyDeleteGIRL, I MUST SAY YOU ARE ONE HELL"AVA WOMAN..YOU HAVE BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH AND I WOULDN EVEN WANT TO THINK AT HOW OR WHERE I WOULD BE IF I WERE IN YOUR SHOES..THEN I REMEMBER THEY SAY GOD DON'T PUT KNOW MORE ON YOU THAN YOU CAN HANDLE...I GUESS THAT MAY SEEM TRUE TO A POINT IN MY MIND BUT TO ACTUALLY HAVE TO GO THROUGH SOME THINGS (AS YOU HAVE) I WONDER..YOU ARE A AMAZING LADY..
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lynn..So much has said about me being strong to have gotten through what I have. This is the purpose of this sight, to help and show others that horrible things happen in life, and with The Lord God as well as a true friend, Faith, prayer and wonderful friends ( such as yourself)..We continue along stumbling and at times very mad or sad...But I keep looking towards the prize in the end....Heaven !!!!!!!!!!!!!
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