Amelia Otherwhere and Other Such Nonsense







But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
Galatians 5:18



01 May 2012

Aghhhhh!

Just needed to get that out!!!!

29 March 2012

Kym


I remember the first time I met her. It was mid July. All the pastors were at their yearly retreat. While they were water skiing, tubing and BBQing the rest of us got to be pampered on the job with spa treatments, movies and our own BBQ lunch on the lawn. It was a bright, sunny day and I was sipping on cucumber water waiting my turn for a pedicure. Kym walked in the room. She had black hair underneath and almost platinum blonde hair on the top layers. It was short. She was striking because her complexion was so pale next to such black and blonde hair. But not pale in a bad way. The pale of one who actually has strawberry blonde hair. She was lovely. And she shined even in the sunlight flowing in the large windows of the Upper Room. I liked her. At that moment. Before we even had a conversation. There was just something about her. She seemed different. She seemed like my kind of person. Down to earth. Available. Funky. Not OC.

This whole assessment was made even before we shared a sentence. Kym. She sat down next to me. And in my brave, secretly shy manner, I struck up a conversation with her probably seeming very outgoing. Or perhaps she started the conversation. I don't remember now who said hi first. I do know that inwardly I was wondering if she would think I was stupid or uncool. She seemed so cool. Yet she was so friendly and I thought we might really be friends. We talked about seminary. I told her I was in the midst of applying to seminary but was kind of petrified of the program and what it would require of me emotionally and spiritually. She said I needed to do it. That it was right for me. It was like she already knew me. Like we were instantly friends. I don't know about her but from that moment on she was one of my special friends. She just fit.

I did go to seminary. We did become special friends. I love her like a sister. And now she has cancer. And the brightness that is Kym is fading. I can't even put to words the sadness I feel. The loss I already feel. It's like there is a space inside of me that is Kym-shaped. And it's full of her and vacant at the same time. Oh my dear friend Kym! You are so lovely. You have blessed my life more than you will ever know. You chose me to be your friend. You trusted me. You shared your life and struggles with me. You included me. You loved me. You trusted me with your thoughts and feelings. You trusted me with your fears and your hopes. You believed in me. You hoped way more for me than I could myself. And you taught me about work and life. You have been such a gift. Such a blessing. I have been so privileged to be counted among your friends. Do you know that? Do you know just how much you mean to me? I know I'm only a new friend in the last 4 years but that time has fed my soul. God has fed my thirsty soul through you. You have watered me. You have walked with me friend through the dark night of the soul. When there were no lights, you let me be where I was, how I was and you still loved me. And in your dark days you let me share that time with you. You told me how you truly felt. You honored me.

And even in letting me come over and visit and pray for you. Oh you have so honored me. Your friendship had meant more than the world to me. I love you Kym. So so so much it hurts. And it hurts to see you in pain. It hurts to see your family in pain. But know that I am constantly in prayer on your behalf. This bat phone is being dialed for you dear friend. I love you. I hope you know that you have impacted my life - ME - my little insignificant existence - in a significant way. I love you dear friend!!!