Living friendship

I'm currently sitting on a balcony overlooking the Pacific Ocean with friends and reflecting on the last few days.

Right from the start.

When I prayerfully considered what could be important in 2017 at the beginning of the year, I was Friendship was the first word that came to my mind. I felt that this year, when I turn 50, I should celebrate and enjoy the friendships that have shaped my life. This includes a number of friends in the USA that I don't see often because of the distance.

• The Jones Family. Andrew and Debbie and their five children. I have known the family since 2001 and have watched the children grow up. Debbie passed away very suddenly last year - I was unable to attend the funeral and so it was particularly important for me to spend time with them during this period of grief. I visited my son and daughter-in-law and father and two of the other daughters on the west coast. I'm still there at the moment. In addition to conversations, prayers and good food, I'm also enjoying the Pacific and the mild, sunny weather.
  
• Derek and Amy C.: I've also known them since 2001, but due to logistical complications, I didn't manage to visit them on this trip - but I did meet Dreck's parents, who I've heard a lot about and e-mailed with, for dinner. It was exciting and touching to meet people who have indirectly been part of my life for a long time. At the end of the meeting, Derek's mum gave me a warm hug and said, „I love you - I know Derek loves you, so I love you too!“ (The American „love“ in this case is a mixture of „cherish, find valuable, like, etc.)
• Amy P., who I have known for 20 years. She and her husband were able to adopt two children 10 years ago after many years of hope and prayer. Two years after the adoption, her husband died suddenly of a brain tumour within 11 weeks. In my book „The hut and me“ I wrote about her. She later remarried and the day I arrived at her house „coincidentally“ happened to be the 10th anniversary of the day the children came to live with her. We celebrated that, of course. With a delicious meal, a visit to the museum and a prayer and blessing.
• Construction team: A construction team from California once worked on the ship. Three of them met me at the airport and brought me to Andrew and his daughters. We only knew each other from a week of building, but there was still a lot of warmth and connection.
• Matthias and Kim and their family. Matthias is a long-time friend with whom I have a close bond. He had an extremely severe stroke two years ago, from which he has largely recovered. My time with them is the crowning glory of my journey...

I feel the richness of what it means to be connected with people - in both easy and difficult days....

Grateful for friendship.