I don't know if it's true at your house, but here it seems whenever we have company we all wind up around the kitchen table. So it was yesterday when our friends from college arrived. I was unsure how our time together would be. In college Mica and I were in many of the same classes,
lived in the same small dorm on a very small campus, sang in and traveled with the choir. We had good times together, but I wouldn't have considered us
close. After college we sent the usual card at Christmas and eventually connected on Facebook where we "like" something once in a while, but we haven't really talked in years. When they walked in the door and we exchanged hugs however, I was pleasantly surprised at the deep bond I suddenly felt with them. Even Brian...I don't
usually feel a connection to men friends so much, but Brian is different, so down to earth and giving and caring...truly like a brother. I am amazed at the bond we can enjoy with other believers through Christ. Our conversations began by catching each other up on our children (they have 4 daughters, one grandson and another grandchild on the way), our parents, our childhood memories, memories of college, then our prospective businesses.
They own and operate this company that manufactures and sells a road grader attachment. They are doing well and the job also affords them the opportunity to travel and also go on mission trips periodically. They have been to Canada and also to Kenya where they help equip pastors that cannot otherwise attend Bible college. Brian also fills the pulpit at his local church once in a while - he is very knowledgeable and wise and I could have listened to him talk for days about how God has been using him in this ministry. We also talked of the condition of
our world today...now we as Evangelicals are on the military's list of extremists...read here. Our world as we know it and many of the freedoms we now enjoy may soon be changing dramatically.
Mica originally told me they would stay through lunch today, but this morning Brian was ready to get on the road after breakfast. Mica said he routinely does that, he tells her he plans to leave at such and such time and then he gets up and wants her ready in 15 minutes. I understood, I mean, they have a long trip ahead of them back to South Dakota, but I do wish they would have stayed for lunch and given us some more time. I am so very tired and have a headache I can't seem to lose today as Mica and I stayed up talking until midnight last night and the dogs got us up at 6:30 this morning. Mica and I vowed to keep in touch more and send more emails, etc. I told them any time they were making a delivery any where close to us, they were always welcome here. I hope I don't have to wait too long. At one point in our conversations Brian said with a chuckle, "Awe Julie, you still have your giggle". We have a history together, and it seemed so strange to be talking with someone with whom I share a past. I miss that...I crave that. When they left I realized immediately just how lonely I have been here.
I rescheduled all my students thinking I would be busy with my company, but now I'm going to spend it catching up on emails, and cleaning out my inbox. I should run the vacuum and strip the guest bed and wash the sheets and get it ready for when Daughter #2 wants to stay over again but that can wait until tomorrow. Today is for reflecting, reminiscing and relaxing.
