The Truth on Friends

I am sure it is obvious I have been going through a tragedy. Some would say that we are suppose to prepare for a grandparent's death and expect it. I did both of those things and I still feel empty and sad. I know the process of grief and I am dealing. I had wonderful friends reach out to me through this saga, as I have been calling it. They sent precious texts, calls, offered help with the kids, messaged me, wrote on my wall and even offered to help clean my house! Like my house would need cleaning;)!  Comic relief there!  I haven't been through close family member death and I didn't know what to say or do or even what to ask for. I sent a text out after it happened to three of my friends. In hind site, I probably should have sent it out to a few others but, I was just in shock and not really certain how to ask or what to say. I sent this text out to my two besties from college and my closet most loyal friend here in Bentonville.  I didn't expect them to do anything, I just knew these friends who pray for me. K, you know who you are...I am so sorry I didn't text you..I don't know what I was thinking not sending it to you! I wasn't in my right mind and I know you are friend who would pray for me.  The first person to respond was my college roommate whom I met at camp in high school.  I could tell through her texts that she was sad for me.  She knew through living with me how close GG and I were. She knew this wasn't just any death...it was Grandmother Georgia!  She kept asking what she could do and really....I didn't know! Fast forward a few days and she is at the hotel before we even left on Saturday morning! She came to babysit the kids and just be there for me! As wonderful as it was to be there with family, there was some sense of comfort having an "outsider" there as "base" for me.  She watched the kids with my MIL(more later) and then went to the grave site with me.  She brought double doozies from the Cookie Factory....you know she knows me!  I don't know what made this so special to me?? The fact that she didn't have me ask her, she drove four hours away from precious weekend time with family, going to a funeral(no one wants to go to funerals), or the fact that she came ready to do what ever was needed! I can't put my finger on it but, it is exactly what I needed. I ended up riding with her and had the opportunity to vent. 

I was so happy to introduce her to everyone! Little did they know she knew the cast..just hadn't met them yet!

When she left, my mom was doing dishes and started talking about how special it was she came. We were so grateful! It was a need we didn't know we needed!  What a gift....such a gift! I feel so blessed to have her in my life. I know her as a loyal friend, she will always be there, she is no drama, she won't put new friends before me, she loves me no matter what phase I am going through.  I have learned a valuable lesson and I am so grateful.

I am not writing this to make anyone feel guilty, really it is just to acknowledge this service that was not expected! It means so much to me! I learned so many lessons through this! I learned what to do when tragedy hits....to do...not ask!  The truth on friends!

Thank you Kim! Thank you for just being  there!  You are so precious to me!