What a surprise I had yesterday evening! My neighbors and friends the Warnocks phoned to ask if they could come down. They had something for me, they said. I couldn't imagine what it could be, and I certainly never dreamed it would be something so sprecial.
When they arrived, Maria at first gave me some fabric goodies that she got last week at the Martha Pullen sewing retreat she attended. I was, of course, thrilled. But then she unrolled the piece of linen she was holding, and I forgot all about the fabrics. Maria had embroidered for me the poem that another neighbor, Danny, wrote about Vann the night after he died. I was so touched, I couldn't help crying. Danny had not given the poem a title, so Maria's husband Gene titled it "Vann -- The Man," something he often called Vann. (Vann often called Gene, a pilot, "Gene, Gene, the flying machine.")
Gene had brought his handyman kit so that he could hang the poem for me. It's now hanging in my dining room.
If you don't have good friends like I have, get up right now and begin to make some. There is nothing in this world more valuable, no blessing that will give you more comfort in times of sorrow and joy, nothing you need more.
Thank you Danny, Maria, and Gene for being my friends and for loving my Vann. And thank you, all my friends, for being my comfort.
This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.
On 02/21/2010, Vicki W said ...
What an amazing gift....and beautiful friends!
On 02/21/2010, Fitzy said ...
It's more than the physical gift, although it is indeed very lovely. The part that touches me is that they all planned and schemed, unselfishly taking time out of their day-thinking, arranging, sharing to show you how much they honor and love you and Vann. That's some warm fuzzies that will last forever.
On 02/21/2010, Ruth Landon said ...
Susan, what a wonderful surprise and a great thing your friends and neighbors did for you and for Vann's memory.
Ruth
On 02/21/2010, sharon said ...
What a beautiful gift Susan. That is sooooo nice. You do have some wonderful friends and your very lucky. So many times we think we have "friends" but we see later on that we really don't at all. So those true friends are to be treasured.
On 02/21/2010, Melinda said ...
What a wonderful gift to you and a tribute to Vann. You have great friends and are blessed that they care so much for you.
On 02/21/2010, Barbara Anne said ...
Oh Susan, what a treasure to have in your home, a beautiful link to your beloved, and treasured friends to hold in your heart forever.
Hugs!
On 02/21/2010, Wilma said ...
What a beautiful tribute to Vann's memory and your and Vann's friendship. Bless you and your friends for being so thoughtful.
On 02/21/2010, Donna said ...
Beautiful tribute to Vann! What precious friends you have! I don't where I would be right now without my family and friends being there for me in the past few months.
Thanks for sharing this with us. Great friends indeed!
Blessings,
Donna
On 02/21/2010, Laurie said ...
That is the sweetest gift I have ever seen. Yes, you are blessed indeed.
On 02/21/2010, Merrie Miller said ...
What a tribute to you both; you must really be remarkable sweet folks to have created such love in the hearts of your friends. We are sending you lots of hugs today!
On 02/21/2010, KAI said ...
I had to go back & comment on your previous post first because I was sniffling like a big baby after reading this one. What a beautiful thing to do, and what dear & loving friends they are! You DESERVE friends like them! LOVE YOU!!!
On 02/21/2010, Zannah said ...
What a lovely gift! It's these small gestures that remind us of the need for good friends in life.
On 02/21/2010, Debra Spincic said ...
How wonderful and how much more wonderful that your friend arrived with a hammer and nails and installed the rod!
On 02/21/2010, Dandelion Quilts said ...
How special indeed...and very beautifully done.
On 02/22/2010, Patti Koosed said ...
What lovely friends to do this for you.
I am smiling :)
On 02/22/2010, Pokey said ...
How great a gift is that? How sweet your friends are, hold them close! What a treasure.
On 02/23/2010, Gayle said ...
What a beautiful gift.
-----
No comments:
Post a Comment