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Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Stories of Shaving Cream and Friendship


This is Melanie. She likes shaving cream. She is eating it, and I am spraying it in her mouth.

Melanie does crazy things like eat shaving cream, throw cheeseballs, and in general try to find trouble wherever she might be. She also does crazy things like love the unlovable, move out of a lovely home into a camper, and in general does her best to follow God with abandon.

Melanie has taught me a lot in our friendship. More than anyone else I have ever known, Melanie has taught me that people matter more than things. She holds her stuff loosely, and she gives and gives beyond what might seem "sensible" to others. She gives money, time, talents, and she gives of her beautiful, loving heart, even when she's in danger of running out of herself.

Melanie has walked with me through some of the hardest days of my life. I have tried to walk with her through some of hers as well. Melanie is moving, and I am so happy for her. This will be a great adventure for Melanie and her family. God has given them such a heart to love others, and I know He will expand that even more as they grow and minister in a new place.

I will miss her desperately, miss stopping at her house to chat, kissing and hugging, tickling and laughing with her kids, and dropping off Junior Mints when the mood strikes. I will miss coffee with her and dinner for our birthdays. I will miss crying and laughing over pretty much anything. But God has taken Melanie on an amazing journey, and this move is going to draw her closer to Him. I know it is. So I will pray for Melanie and her family and for God to keep using them and to bless them with love and laughter wherever they go.

Save a place for me, because I can't wait to come visit you in our new home. And thanks for selling us your house, Mel. Even though I don't know what to do with it sometimes, there is something special about living where you lived and mowing the grass you mowed. I'm happy to walk the ground you walked on, my dear friend. I'll take care of it until you come back to visit.

5 comments:

Tina said...

don't make me cry. I'm going to miss those buggers.

Heth said...

Now why'd ya have to go and get me all weepy? You are right, she is an amazing, amazing woman of God and I feel so blessed to know her.

Unknown said...

I agree why make me sad? It's alright though they are great and they are taking steps closer to God. I will miss them bunches.

jenni said...

Couldn't have said it any better. Love the pic of you and her together. So Melanie... I dare you to find a picture of you and her together where she isn't acting like a total goober! As hard as I try I have yet to get her to just "smile" for the camera, but that is what I love about her.

melanie said...

Your bed is open for a road trip my love :)... and it hasn't even been peed in yet..
I love you to pieces. Thank you for your sweet words.. I think you know the wrong girly.. But I cherish you.