Half Full.

When I look at this weekend with the glass half-full... instead I also see...

My friends - these women: Laura, Missy, & Jenny- whose friendship I CANNOT comprehend. Even to put words to the page about them minimizes any minuscule of acknowledgement I could give them... They picked me up, they handed me keys, they sat until I was tired at night, they created campfires, they strode the beach, they listened...listended...listened. They made morning coffee, got blueberries & blackberries & peaches & bagels and all sorts of yummy things. They handed me glasses of wine. They called, they texts, they sat up in the middle of the night together and prayed. They rolled me in bed with them while the morning began with rain. They drove me to the wedding. Laura stood with me, sat with me, mocked with me, walked with me. I cannot imagine a friend such as this. She even ate Jersey Junction as a "cool off" with me. I embarrassed to even begin to articulate these women God has branded me with to be friends...

I see things like my cousin and his huge arms and over joyous smile at his graduation party, thanking me over and over and over again for coming. And hugs, hugs, hugs. And how my aunts made sure to talk, to work through life, to hug me. Or my uncle, my dear uncle, walk from the back room with the tape I requested a while ago -- he had dug through 15 years of cottage film and sliced together "live" pieces of my mom. I've never hugged him so embracingly before!

I see Kelsey and kate and Kate calling and praying. I don't care what distance ever existed, for these friendships chase away the miles. I have this deep love grinding for them in my heart. It honors them in their life and through mine. No one knows the power I feel when I even think of their names. They are the greatest of friends.

I see a coffee date canceled, and yet phone calls given (though sorry Heidi -- yet still t0 be returned!!!) And this women who is filled with grace and God and everything good. And her calm, giving compassionate heart. And my head shaking in wonder at the women she is, and the gift she is to me.

I see Anne and her family, welcoming me in. My heart so safe with them that my eyes drooped while laughter and smiles still rippled like the sand of the seas...

I see a circle spread of friendship. Me, overwhelmed, and this Community group spread hands together and prayed over my name, my nieces, my family. I see my fumbling and frustrated that I have to leave... but crying the next hour over this circle that God has given me. What people these are! I cannot believe!

I see Bekah, dear Bekah, what more can I say? But that I want to be like you, and cherish you each day... You hear my heart, you know my soul. There will never be enough hours in the day.... I want a place in heaven next to you some day.

I see baby Kaylin, her little arms and legs sprawled. Its like my brain removes the tubes and wires and all I can think of is precious her. And how amazing and incredible it is that she's here. And how proud I am of her father, Josh. I've never seen him more caring and giving and courageous than these days. His strength and submission and willingness and living without complaint. I'm proud of my sister, I'm proud of him, and I'm so proud that I got to hold my new, strong & fighting niece, Kaylin.

When I think of this weekend with the glass half full, I see campfires brimming, Jaxson so excited to see me he was screaming & squealing, the sun setting over Saugatuck MI, Jenny on the Hammock in the breeze, standing to worship at Crossroads, and a walk to BDD. If I erase the thoughts of the hours in between, I gather a new attitude and see God's precious gifts to me.