Sunday, April 27, 2014

2 a.m. Sunday

I woke up about an hour ago, Sunday morning.
I went to bed limp as a rag doll 
5 p.m. Saturday evening.
I had been up since 5 a.m.  Saturday morning.

Saturday 6 a.m., headed over to help my friend Ann
"Annie"
with a garage sale.
A BIG ONE

She had been preparing for over a week.
She needs new flooring in her home,
and she also wanted to get some "order" to
her garage and storage shed.

Nothing special about that, but there is a special
back story I want to share.
This is the same Annie I asked
 you to pray for a while back.
Her husband Ron was ill and they were fighting 
a horrible battle with cancer.
They lost the battle a few weeks back,
Annie lost her husband,
and her life has changed forever.

I have watched my friend 
face these new challenges
with such bravery and grace 
and I am in awe of her strength.

She and her Mom Ruth,
forever more "Grandma Ruth" now,
worked themselves silly the past few days.
Annie made enough to make a huge dent in the project.
But there is more to the story.

I always send out alerts 
to local gals that a garage sale is
happening and the girls
turned up for the cause.
They came for the preview night Friday,
 bringing cupcakes and hugs,
opened their wallets and bought treasures.
They picked up unfinished quilts of the family,
and promised to finish them and send them photos.
They bought treasures from Annie
and will make them special in their own homes.
They tried on vintage glasses and hats 
and posed to make Annie laugh.

These other women have faced illness,
loss and tragedy in their own lives.
They've struggled and fought their own battles
and recognize a woman who needs
love and support.

I adore these women in my life.
Both my female "bosses" were there
and they are getting to know one another,
and lo and behold
the guy who owns the emporium
where our booth is, showed up by accident
and more hugs all around.

All these separate folks all intertwining
in work and friendship and love.

I looked up mid way through 
yesterday, I was fading fast,
and saw Annie bundled up in layers of 
her husband's clothes
borrowed from the racks, fighting the cold
and rain that lala land dumped on us yesterday,
and she was "merchandising" the tables, 
and shuffling in her fuzzy clogs and smiling.
Tired but always smiling.

I wake up this morning at 1 a.m.
and there is an email from Ann at midnight,
still up, still working I'm sure,
 thanking me for sharing my friends.
Annie, they are now your friends also.

Women brought together 
with shared experiences, friendship,
 and understanding of what it means to be 
a woman today, well, what it has always 
meant to be a woman.
The strengths we all have within us
to raise our families well, work hard,
love hard, be creative, nurturing.
We are by no means the weaker sex.
We "get it"

Oh yes, there are silly, selfish, even nasty
 gals out there,
always were, always will be,
but by and large I believe
in women.

I believe in these women for sure.
My friends.
Annie's friends.
Get some sleep Annie.






15 comments:

Di@Cottage-Wishes said...

Such a productive weekend you had. Emotionally I know you are tired but physically but you are full of spirit and love. I wish you joy today. di@Cottage-wishes

Amber ~ The French Pressed Home said...

Wow, Z. I have tears in my eyes. If you have just one friend like the ones you have written about, you are RICH. Hugs to you and Annie. xo

Susie~From My Home To Yours said...

Now you've gone and made me cry this morning! I love the poignant way you have written this post, and the importance of women and friends. You have definitely gone the extra mile, and Annie is certainly fortunate to have you for a friend. I can tell she is a special lady, and she shares a very special name to me as my beloved Grandma was named Annie.
Blessings to you and Annie...

Kathy said...

What a lovely post. There is a quote, I wish I could think of it, but the essence is that the women in our lives are the "constant" that support and nurture us through thick and thin.
Well done, Z, now YOU get some sleep!

kitchu said...

Exactly what Amber said! Thanks for always stopping in when I so (rarely) post anymore. I hate how little time I have for blogging, I miss actually writing!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Lovely post! I know that my friends are my strength when I'm down and I've needed the many encouraging words they have sent me lately. I am missing home so much and trying so hard to get through Mom's house with her(downsizing). At 83 those decisions are hard. I'm exhausted but have weeks and weeks yet to go before I can move Mom to Georgia.
hugs to you and your friends.

Linda

Tanya said...

I am SO sorry to hear of Annie's loss...I'm glad she has the same network of girlfriends that grace your life! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Jillayne said...

This is such a beautiful post z... as you say, there is good and bad out there but this group you write of, your posse, they're the real deal. Kind, caring, thoughtful, real people, who just get it.
Hope you get your days and nights sorted out soon...

Jackie said...

Friends are the family you chose for yourself! So glad you and Annie have chosen well! Sorry to hear of her loss, hope she finds peace in the memories she has! hugs, jackie

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

Reading all the comments above, I couldn't say it better. Hoping your friend finds peace and resilience on her new life's path and you are rich in your friendship together -



www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

So sorry for your loss. YOur girlfriend is so lucky to have friends like you in her life to get through it:)
~Debra xxx
Capers of the vintage vixens

beth said...

i believe in women too….and have suffered the loss of many in regards to the fact that they were not there for me when i needed something but i was always there for them….so i treasure the good ones even more than i used to….xo

Lin from A {tiny} Cottage In The Woods said...

One of the sweetest blog posts I've ever read, Z. And yes, women 'get it'.
Hugs,
Lin

Romeo said...

What an incredible post! Thank you so much for sharing this. First I got teary eyed, then I smiled, then I got teary eyed... I'll be thinking about your words long after I walk away from the computer. Thank you.

"her"

Lana said...

Suzan...tears in my eyes. You say it beautifully. It is no wonder at all that you have so many, many dear and loving friends. Blessing to you, my far away friend.