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WRITE 2 THE HEART
Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart"
July 17, 2002
Cheryl Speir, Editor, moderator@write2theheart.com
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A friend loveth at all times
Proverbs 17:17
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A Lesson on Friendship
By Rose Wade-Schambach
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"I'm coming to stay with you after you have your surgery
until you can get on your feet again," she offered as
nonchalantly as if she were offering to walk next door to
visit over a cup of coffee. Never mind that she lived two
states away with a family of her own to look after! It was
my best friend Cheryl that was making the offer, and when
it comes to being a friend, she holds the title.
I was scheduled to have a total hysterectomy and bladder
repair, and as a single Mom, I was clueless as to how I would
pull off having surgery and managing the recovery with the
children, especially since the youngest was not three. Cheryl
had had the surgery a few years' prior, and she not only knew
what I was up against, but she knew that I would need all the
help I could get.
I had a few other offers of help from others, but they were
flippant, half-hearted niceties that people throw your way.
"Let me know if you need any help." Maybe it was my pride
that kept me from saying, "Are you joking? Let's see now, I'll
need childcare and meals and someone just to hold my hand
when the after-pain of surgery becomes more that I can bear.
Which task can I put you down for?" Instead, I just smiled and
thanked them.
But Cheryl was more than just a cloud without water. She
orchestrated to be at the hospital the day of my discharge to stay
however long my recovery took. She brought things with her, too.
Things like snacks and videos and good books. Most importantly
she brought her sense of humor. I needed someone to be totally
perceptive of my needs and she was. She cooked wonderful meals
and cleaned up and allowed me to nap when I needed to. She
drove me in the car when I needed an outing and took me to the
doctors. She perceived when I was tired and needed to go home.
She cried with me when I got discouraged and laughed with me
while we watched old comedies. She helped with the children,
thinking of new and different activities for them and relieved them
from having to be my personal nursemaid. The recovery took longer
than either of us expected, but Cheryl never acted the least bit put
out. Neither did her husband, David, when she would call to give
him updates. She ended up staying an entire month.
In retrospect, Cheryl had always been there for me. She had
supported me through dozens of cataclysmic events over the years.
She had encouraged me through six pregnancies and two miscarriages.
She kept track of me when I moved around like a gypsy during a rocky
marriage that finally ended. She knew more about me than I would
have been comfortable sharing with anyone else. She was a rock I
could depend on.
I've learned so much about friendship from her. I've learned what it
is to be a friend and I've learned what it is to have a friend. She's
been the teacher and I've been the pupil. One day I'm sure I'll have
the opportunity to give back to someone what she has taught me.
I hope I don't fail the test. I want to be just like her.
Rose Wade-Schambach
schwadeton @ yahoo.com
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Letters From Our Readers
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Having moved from Winnipeg to England my daughters
and I sorely miss the V.V. Boutique. My youngest has
gone back for a visit this summer and has taken a very
large empty suitcase for the express purpose of visiting
every V.V. that she can. Enjoy the fact that you have it.
Beverley
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I have a friend who subscribed me to your website. This is
so great to have refreshing and funny items to read without
worrying about censors. My friend is going through a tough time
now as all of us do sometime in our lives. She has many hurdles
to jump at this point but she is really a great friend and needs
encouraging. We sometimes need to know that our problems
are not brought on by what we may have done or how we went
about trying to correct them. God is great and has blessed her
and her family many ways. I am thankful that she is my friend
because they are hard to find!!!
DeLynda
****
Maria,
I know I owe you some answers to e-mail written
to me some time ago. I read and enjoy your letters,
but I'm so easily sidetracked these days that I've
let my e-mail pile up.
I wanted to tell you how much I love your story. It
reminded me of myself...the part about hanging on to
clothes that haven't been worn for ages. Finally.... I
picked out all of those lovely clothes I was hanging on
to, hoping I would miraculously shrink back to a nice
trim shape and wear them again. I sent them down to
the Senior Center Thrift store. I hope other ladies love
the dresses, blouses and slacks as much as I did.
I love to read your stories.
Pat
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Cheryl's Corner
I think Maria added to everyone's vocabulary last week!
People are now laughingly referring to thrift and resale
shops as V.V. Boutique.
My three year old grandson, Mason, heard his mom say
something he thought she shouldn't. "Momma, you shouldn't
say that he told her." His other grandmother said, "Mason, tell her
where people go who say bad things." He solemnly told
everyone, "To Wal-Mart!"
God Bless
Cheryl
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