I think you're an amazing friend! You have loved me, Colman and Cullen so well over the years. The part you wrote saying the "nerd and the jock can sit at the same table" made me laugh because I know that in high school I was the punk/emo kid that for sure wasn't sitting anywhere near someone I saw as "preppy". The sermon that was preached yesterday was all about friendship and the pastor asked us to think of our 5 closes friends, and you were definitely in that group for me. You opened your home to us during ice-magedon, threw us a baby shower all while Jon was in chemo, spent countless hours answering every mama related question I had, and bought us TWO diaper bags! You're that friend who I can call at 2am if I just need to talk. You've seen us in good times, and in times when I've felt so broken and betrayed I wasn't sure life would go on for me. Even this morning as I took my son to the babysitter, he's sitting in yours and Jon's carseat! There's not an area of my life you haven't touched and made better. I am honored to know you and call you friend. I hope that I can one day be as good to you as you have been to me.
Girl yes. There's an emo kid wayyyy deep down inside my prepster self. Ha!! I'll never forget meeting you with your vans hat with the curled up brim. Loved you from the moment I met you!!
I love this! It makes me want to be a kinder, more caring person. I am like Jon, not very outgoing and afraid to go beyond my bubble - but you and Jon help me believe I can!
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26
Just...WOW. I knew you were a good writer when I read your posts about Jon's journey but this is so amazing. The subject matter is so thought provoking for me. I often look at people wondering how they see me rather than just trying to love them. Inspirational. I know you're going to be writing professionally if you're not already. It would be wonderful to share this gift with as many as possible. You are still in my prayers even though we have never met, I have followed your journey with much respect for you and Jon. And just purely enjoying your writing, not to mention the way that you have honored Jon. Well done.
This shows up in my life regularly; there are lots of brief encounters I have that I could linger on and get involved with, but often I'll just "make it quick" and move on because I'm too concerned with "my" time. But I'm starting to see those opportunities; love hearing about that facet of Jon--and your own experience with it!
Me too!! Jon was always an ambler. Toward the end of his life, he started to walk even more slowly with a significant limp. So he just spent that time talking to people and asking good questions, and I learned to appreciate the value of a slower pace. What a beautiful thing to come out of literal pain.
Take those opportunities! Savor them!! Make friends with people who you’d never meet otherwise. You can do it!! It’s so worth it.
This was so good!! So apropos for the season I am in right now. I needed to read this, hear it and grow in it. Thank you.
Beautifully written.
I think you're an amazing friend! You have loved me, Colman and Cullen so well over the years. The part you wrote saying the "nerd and the jock can sit at the same table" made me laugh because I know that in high school I was the punk/emo kid that for sure wasn't sitting anywhere near someone I saw as "preppy". The sermon that was preached yesterday was all about friendship and the pastor asked us to think of our 5 closes friends, and you were definitely in that group for me. You opened your home to us during ice-magedon, threw us a baby shower all while Jon was in chemo, spent countless hours answering every mama related question I had, and bought us TWO diaper bags! You're that friend who I can call at 2am if I just need to talk. You've seen us in good times, and in times when I've felt so broken and betrayed I wasn't sure life would go on for me. Even this morning as I took my son to the babysitter, he's sitting in yours and Jon's carseat! There's not an area of my life you haven't touched and made better. I am honored to know you and call you friend. I hope that I can one day be as good to you as you have been to me.
Girl yes. There's an emo kid wayyyy deep down inside my prepster self. Ha!! I'll never forget meeting you with your vans hat with the curled up brim. Loved you from the moment I met you!!
I love this! It makes me want to be a kinder, more caring person. I am like Jon, not very outgoing and afraid to go beyond my bubble - but you and Jon help me believe I can!
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26
Exactly! Perfectly said.
Just...WOW. I knew you were a good writer when I read your posts about Jon's journey but this is so amazing. The subject matter is so thought provoking for me. I often look at people wondering how they see me rather than just trying to love them. Inspirational. I know you're going to be writing professionally if you're not already. It would be wonderful to share this gift with as many as possible. You are still in my prayers even though we have never met, I have followed your journey with much respect for you and Jon. And just purely enjoying your writing, not to mention the way that you have honored Jon. Well done.
Bonnie! Wow. This is so moving. Thank you so much for praying for me and Jackson and for your beautiful encouragement.
This shows up in my life regularly; there are lots of brief encounters I have that I could linger on and get involved with, but often I'll just "make it quick" and move on because I'm too concerned with "my" time. But I'm starting to see those opportunities; love hearing about that facet of Jon--and your own experience with it!
Me too!! Jon was always an ambler. Toward the end of his life, he started to walk even more slowly with a significant limp. So he just spent that time talking to people and asking good questions, and I learned to appreciate the value of a slower pace. What a beautiful thing to come out of literal pain.
Take those opportunities! Savor them!! Make friends with people who you’d never meet otherwise. You can do it!! It’s so worth it.
Dear Melissa, I hope you continue to write! Thanks, a random fan of Jon.
Noted Kenneth! On it!!
This was a great read for Thanksgiving morning. I pray you have a wonderful day today!
Hi Michaelene! Thank you!! Just emailed you!
Hi Melissa. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and experiences. 😘❤️
I thought you might like this article that I just ran across.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2022/11/04/grief-widow-cancer-healing/
Hi Kathy!! Oh goodness, this rings so true. Thank you so much for sharing!