Good Friday

Today is a good day to think of my life at this time, particularly the past couple of days. Last night I went to Book Club. I love this group. It is eclectic and diverse. We discussed the book The Glass Castle. I loved the exchange of ideas and the respect given to each other. I am so glad that Carol had the idea to start the group and that I can be in it. I say "can" because there will be times when I will have to make a choice. My poetry group meets the same night next book club is scheduled to happen. It will be interesting to see how it will unfold, how I will balance my time with two activities that I enjoy. I will continue to read the assigned book. And then if I can't be there in person, I will make a blog entry about my impressions of the book. For next month we are reading Tisha, "the story of a young teacher in the Alaskan wilderness". That same morning, I went to the temple with Joan. She is a wonderful friend. She inspires me to hang in there and to do good things for others. I love so many things about her that it's hard to name the many ways she helps me. Yesterday, it was a ride, dropping me off at the door, and putting up with slow walking. And, as always, she gives common sense and laughter. Today the Family History Center was the destination. The work of entering names into my computer file was calling. And dear Pat. If family history work had done nothing more than give me Pat as a friend, it would have been worth everything. How do you express adequately the love received from friends? Alice was there too, my friend and traveling companion on the trip to Wales. And the spirit was nourishing, as always. Art, my companion in good times and bad. How blessed I am to still have him in my life. Being 71 and awaiting knee surgery is not so bad when he is here, steady and compassionate beside me. We had lunch today with Heather on her day off. Since this post seems to be about friends, I am so blessed to have our children become my friends, too. I have been observing the loneliness of others who have lost their spouse. I can't really know, but it pains me to see how hard it is for them. Their courage gives me hope that I can face what is before me with a bit more strength and grace. Sometimes because Art and I are somewhat handicapped by his painful hip and my knee, I feel sorry for myself and think I am definitely homebound. But as I write this, I realize that is not true. Thanks to all the people mentioned here, and more, we get out and about. And the future holds hope and promise. After all, our greatest friend, the Savior, offers even greater blessings than these. It is a "good Friday". And may it be an even better Easter.