Friday, October 03, 2008

Friendship

Whenever My Love and I become discouraged about our current financial situation we always remind each other that we are rich in love and nothing else really matters. Not only are we bathed in the love of our Savior Jesus Christ, and the immeasurable love of our Heavenly Father, but we have the love of each other, our love for our children, our childrens' love for us, and the love of our extended family.

Included in that extended family are friends from all walks of life. One family of friends came into our life through a church in common. They had five kids at the time of our meeting and we had none, so we ministered to their oldest daughter and were enthralled with her wisdom and maturity at her young age of 11. We met the rest of the family and became attached to them through commonalities of life, spirit, and interests.

We could offer them our loving friendship, entertaining moments and admiration, and they reciprocated the same and added to the table mentorship and generosity. I think of them everyday and pray for them continuously, for reminders of them are all around us. From hand-me-down clothing to books to school supplies they have given us so much without expecting anything in return.

And although their greatest gift to us is their prayers, love, and the imparting of their wisdom, as a mother of four I can not help but appreciate the playset which their kids have out grown, but fits ours just perfectly.

Since assembly we have spent hours on end swinging, climbing, playing and imagining we were many places other than our front yard.





Even Flip has learned to climb up...

... and slide down.






For Eden, using the slide can be a little hair raising ;-)











The swings are the greatest attraction and have aided my kids in flying over many a mountain.

Thank you my dear friends.





"Why did you do all this for me?" he asked. "I don't deserve it. I've never done anything for you."

"You have been my friend," replied Charlotte. "That in itself is a tremendous thing."

~E.B. White

7 comments:

Unknown said...

This is a beautiful post! I just love people like that. : ). I hope you will be able to find a great family to gift the swingset to when yours are all too big. And believe me, that will be quicker than you can blink.... Hope your weekend is filled with happiness!

Plant Lady said...

Friends like this are a true treasure! I love sharing with friends and neighbors. I have just recently cleaned out my closet (I still think I could squeeze into some of those clothes) and shared with a lady at church who has a daughter about my size (at the time).

Some of my hand-me-downs are still like new because if you're like me, you have favorite ones that are worn more often that others and are worn out faster. Those, I just throw away.

Now, on to my shoes closet. What is it with getting older and getting bigger feet? Shoes I once wore will no longer fit on my feet! What's up with that?

I just can't win the "Battle of the Bulge"!

Blessings~
Plant Lady

Grandma Tillie's Bakery said...

Wow, what an awesome playset for your kids! What generous friends they are to think of you with something you can use. Just think how much fun it will be to pass it along to another grateful family!

Debbie in CA : ) said...

Ahhhh, sweet! I'm sure those people who gave that playset to you feel just as blessed as you do. I agree with your other readers: "Pay it forward" and keep the blessings rolling on. : )

Edwina at The Picket Fence said...

There is no words for 'True Friendship' I have some dear friends that I have had since we were in Elementary School and no matter if we haven't seen each other for months, we just take right back up where we left off. I think that is what a true friend should be, one who is there forever and always supporting us. I love the playset, so would my 3 little ones

Shell in your Pocket said...

What a great post! The swingset looks very fun! They are cuties!
Have a great Sunday!
-Sandy toes

Julie said...

Ooooo, my kids need a swingset like that. It looks so fun!

But I liked the first part of your post, too. We have been feeling the pinch in the pocketbook at our house lately, and it helps to remember that we have so many other blessings for which to be grateful.