{sigh}
This has been such a year of change for our family. The birth of our son, moving to a new city, new callings in church, and most recently, learning that a dear dear friend is moving to Las Vegas. Even though we moved and lived to tell about it, and I know that she will also, I am also feeling sad. Regretful that I haven't spent nearly as much time with her (or any of my friends, for that matter) this summer. I think that I get so busy raising my five kids (and husband) that I set things on the back burner that I need to nurture me...like my friends.
{sniff...sniff}
This friend in particular, Shannon, has been the glue in our little group. I think that she has kept us grounded and always knows how to keep things in perspective when things go awry in any given situation. She is beautiful and talented, a master decorator, a patient, valiant and loving wife and Mom. She knows what matters. She has bee such a role model for her friends...and I think that we are all older than her. I think that one of the things that I'm going to miss the most about her is that we share a birthday. And that her anniversary is my sisters birthday. Doesn't that mean that we were destined to be friends? I think so. But let me tell you, it was work. I had to become her stalker. She was somebody that I saw and thought 'I'd like to be her friend...I think that she needs me for a friend'. So I made it my mission. I can't remember if I went to a scrapbook night first or if I flat out asked her if she was pregnant first. If it was the scrapbook night, I don't know how we made it past that. I could have said two words and it would have doubled the amount of talking usually done. And anybody that knows me knows that I rarely, if ever, stop at two words. And her scrapbooking talent was amazing (in fact it was from a scrapbook page posted at a little scrapbook store that I found out about our birthday and anniversary similarities). And looking back I can't believe that I had the guts to ask her if she was pregnant. (She was, 12 weeks to the day) My only indication was that the normally perfectly put together girl had her shirt untucked...and she had been eating a banana in the car and it just seemed like something she wouldn't do unless absolutely necessary.
I think that you have to know Shannon to love her. (I hope that that doesn't come across wrong or sound bad). She is very put together (always! 7am or 7pm, that girl looks perfect). I think that she is intimidating in that regard because most of us feel like we are doing everything we can to stay caught up with life. But, when you get to know Shannon, you realize that she holds her family and her friends very very close. She doesn't need a million friends, she needs a few very close friends. She doesn't care that everytime she shows up at your house, you are still in your pajamas. She is classy and funny, adventurous and caring. She is the friend that is first to bring you a meal, or treats, or leave May day treats on your front door, Make you an enormous 'you did it' banner after running your first half marathon. She celebrates 'National Talk like a Pirate Day' and Donut Day. She truly is an amazing, beautiful woman inside and out. I am going to miss you so much Shannon. I know that you will make the move with grace and a smile on your face....your friends, maybe not so much. I promise to visit you every year on or around our birthday....and maybe our 1/2 birthday if I can swing it. While you may be 1046 miles away, you really are never more than a phonecall, facebook or email away! I love you, Shannon Summer Brown!
(You can click on her name above to link to her blog...you can see for yourself how awesome she is.)
