Five Minute Friday - Love and Comfort

Five Minute Friday is where gather with my sweet friends
to write our hearts on a page for 5 minutes prompted
by the friend who encourages us to write bravely - Lisa-Jo.

I love this community more than words can express. 
They are my people.

Today is about COMFORT.


I can't remember a time in my life that you weren't there. 
We were more than cousins, raised more like brothers and sisters.

I remember our many moments shared. 
Sitting around the kid table at all of our family dinners
secretly longing for the day when we could sit
with the adults at their table and be part of their world. 
Playing bar in the basement and searching for treasure 
in the junk room at Grandma and Grandpa's house. 
Getting waterlogged in the pool wearing Grandpa's t-shirts 
while either trying to make it across the bridge of foam 
rafts or diving for black marbles in their pool.

So many of our memories take place there.
We loved spending time at their home.
Scattered around the country and growing in numbers, 
we began to marry and have children of our own.

We all found our way back there at one time or another over the years.

Sometimes separately and other times together.

Love and comfort were found there.

Then we all received the call that Grandpa had passed 

and we made our way to their house.

We came together in one place to share stories of him. 

I remember standing together, alternating between laughing and weeping 

as I listened to all of them, and reaching out to hold a hand as I told my own. Afterwards we couldn't stop telling the stories so we made our way

 to my apartment and continued our walk down memory lane. 

Sitting in a circle on the floor together, there was love and comfort.

Years later and much more life lived, we received the call that Grandma had passed and we found our way to each other again. We were once more asked to share memories and managed to find words to express how much we loved her and how she impacted our lives. We stood in front of all there and clung to each other's hands speaking of her. I remember that each one of us mentioned that she instilled in us that family is everything. We couldn't bear to separate just yet, so we went to have dinner. Gathered around a table together, there was love and comfort.

I know that no matter how far apart we may live our lives, 

we are and always will be deeply connected.

There is love and comfort there too.

Past the 5 minutes:

I have been thinking of and missing my Grandma this week. I know it's especially hard for my Mom as we celebrate moms and hers is absent from the celebration. Today I am praying comfort for all those motherless daughters like her. I am also praying for those childless mothers as I know that this is difficult for you as well.

God blesses those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

Matthew 5:4

Blessings,