Good Friends

I could make a huge list of strange things and stupid comments I've seen and heard today, like being pounced on (innocently enough, but still) within 5 minutes of being in the building (though my friend did jump up to bail me out, which was sweet!), like being sarcastically asked if we're visiting, being fawned over for being there (Gag. So makes you want to not be there. Why can't people be secure enough in themselves to just act normal?), and like being called (kiddingly, but still) "apostate" (it took great restraint for me to not make him feel stupid by saying, "Yeah, well my Dad died."). All these comments have "Christlike" written all over them, don't they? No wonder people home church. Anyway, I'm so glad that I've gotten past caring what others think (it's so amazingly liberating), but it can still be annoying, even in its well-meaningness. But rather than focus on that (and that's an abbreviated list), what I really want to say is this:

Three acts by friends stand out in my mind today as things that have kept me sane on an otherwise difficult day (seriously, why did I leave the house today?). Ugh.

1. Our awesome friends came by this morning to share fauschnauts with us. We LOVE culinary traditions and fauschnauts are one of our favorites! I love cultural and religious food. And they're SUPER yummy. Mmmmmmm. Happy Mardi Gras. Read a short blurb about it here.

2. My friend who took the time to tell me how touched she was to read about my Dad on our blog and how he sounds amazing. It's so sad to me that from now on, those who haven't had the pleasure and blessing of meeting him will only know from stories--the stories are great, but the man is even better. Anyway, she had the sincerity and depth to say, "I've really wanted to help, to do something, but I haven't known what to do. He sounds like an amazing man." And then she cried with me and hugged me. Right in the middle of the womens' bathroom.

3. My friend who simply let me be me and didn't make a fuss about how long it's been since we've been in church or make a fuss about anything related to church attendance at all. She simply let me BE ME. And she gave me space. And she was refreshingly normal with me. And she even made me laugh.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going back to bed. (Not really, but I am nice and cozy in my comfy, warm clothes). I love being a homebody.