THE ONE WHO JUST APPEARS

“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.”
                                                                                   -Henri Nouwen


Marion Pellicano Ambrose
    
     As you read this quote, did the image of that special friend fill your mind?  You know the one I mean- the one who just appears when you’re feeling down. The friend who listens to you complain about someone who treated you badly and exclaims “that bitch!” even though she doesn’t even know the person! She knows your thoughts and anticipates your moods. She listens and brings chocolate and wine!

     Hopefully, each of us has such a treasure as this kind of friend. She’s the one you can confide in, and who won’t criticize or belittle. You can act the fool and she’ll laugh with you, not at you. She’ll have the good grace to forget most of what you said in anger and all of what you said (and did) when you had a little too  much wine! But most of all, she’s the one who feels your pain, your joy, your frustration and your triumphs as if they were her own.
    
     My wish for each of you is the blessing of a true friend and the opportunity to be such a friend to another!