Girlfriends Who Know How to Live

I talked to my girlfriend, Jolene, yesterday morning. She was spending the morning with two of my other friends. Nothing out of the ordinary, it would seem. Except it was very out of the ordinary. You see, one of the three women in the room had gone on to be with God.Lavern's death was unexpected. And my dear friends Josie and Jolene were taking care of her like good friends do. Josie ( an awesome hairdresser that I REALLY miss) was doing her hair, and Jolene was fixing her nails. And it was really nothing extraordinary to either one of them. Just good friends helping each other out. We were able to spend some time together a few weeks ago when I was back in town for a few days. Josie has been battling for good health with everything she has to fight. She is giving her all and living every minute with purpose. When we said goodbye she sang me a line from the song Carol Burnett used to end each show with..."I'm so glad we had this time together...". Me, too. Jolene has lost her job, has knee surgery this week, and has been robbed of her first husband by cancer. But she calls to encourage ME! What extraordinary women. All four of us in our fifties. One of us now gone. And it makes me rethink our attempts in life to avoid suffering and loss. Because I see the sweet spirits in these women. There is a generosity and kindness, and an appreciation of just living, today. And a heart of gratitude that God has allowed them to wake up and share their lives with others, and to

serve, and lighten someone else's load. It makes me less afraid of what tomorrow holds, because I have seen with my own eyes that He will grant me grace for the journey, just as He has my dear friends.