December 29, 2007
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…it’s Christmas cactus, chapter II.
Last year, one of my first posts was about my great-grandmother’s Christmas cactus. It didn’t have many blooms last year, but this time around it is beautiful.
It never ceases to amaze me that this plant KNOWS it is Christmas time. This is yet another example of the amazing order in nature, an order that is not happenstance or accident but part of a divine plan. If God made this plant with the ability to know when to bloom on schedule, what care did HE take when making me? Is it an accident that I got gray hair earlier than most? Is it an accident that I live in Missouri rather than in Greenland or in the 11th century? I know that it is not. If I believed that it WAS an accident, would I still be here today? I don’t think so. It is the belief that I am who and what and when and where I am because HE said so that keeps me searching for the why….and gradually finding the answers as I live out my life. I’d hate to think what a mess I’d be if I was in charge!
…and it’s Marie, Chapter II!
(That’s Marie in the rocker, with friend Juanita, my sister-in-law Beth and mother-in-law Julia.)
Last January, I wrote about my friend, Marie, who has meant so very much to me. Now she is moving away, and it is very difficult to see her go. But the reason I can cheerfully do so is that Marie says God is prompting her to make this move. Although she would love to stay put, at the same time she is ready to go, so all her many friends and I can accept it, too.
Marie doesn’t drive, and her health is not the best. Her sons live scattered across the country and she has no other family nearby. So she is moving to South Carolina, to live in a retirement community near her youngest son and his family. They are extremely happy that Marie will now be close to them, and she is looking forward to having them nearby.
(Above, we’re in the circle; Beverly is a friend who, like me, learned to quilt from Marie.)
Last night, we had a party for Marie. It was not to be a sad, lamenting-our-loss time but a celebration of 26 years of shared experiences with this very special lady. Our big old barn-turned-party-room was the perfect place to host the gathering of 26 neighbors. We enjoyed a big potluck meal together…
(Wyatt couldn’t resist the array of wonderful desserts!)
…and then gathered into a circle of friendship. We played Marie Trivia!
(Above, that’s me with Marie; on the right, E.J. won the trivia contest…he’s her pastor and is buying her place)
Though we all know her well, there were a few little tidbits of info that delighted the crowd and made us all laugh heartily.
Then we shared memories. We talked about her strong and steadfast faith, her unwavering sense of humor, her endurance, and her many contributions to the community.
Marie basked in the loving attention yet made us all feel special, even as we strove to honor her. This little place we call home will not be the same once Marie has left us, but we will never forget her or the role she played in our lives. Goodbye, dear Marie!
(P.S. I’m already plannin’ a trip to SC to visit her!)
Comments (14)
What a wonderful tribute to your friend! Friendships are one of God’s most precious gifts I think. My “best bud” and I have been pals for over thirty years when we met in high school. Until the past few years when they moved back to DE, we’ve lived much of our friendship apart…she went away to school, married, moved to Canada, then to CA, then to FL. Our friendship survived all those miles in grand style and I love having her close by finally! (In fact her husband is now our pastor–I would never have imagined God would orchestrate THAT in my wildest imaginings!)
What a wonderful party – a gathering of friends, in the barn, playing “Marie trivia”!! And thanks for the reminder that we serve a sovereign God! When you visit Marie. . . I am only a couple of states away
!!!
What a great thing to do for her to send her off in style! I am going to show your barn room to Wil. I’d love to do something like that but our barn is a “working” barn and the aroma might not be conductive to partying. lol
a special time with a special friend, things like that make life more wonderful.
I’ve been privileged in seeing suzyquekau’s friendship with Doris. It’s a beautiful relationship. I know and trust God will do that for your special friendship with Marie. I really liked how you said the party was a celebration of a shared friendship of 26 years. May you have many, many more.
Hey I got an idea. On that trip out East to SC you are welcome to make a loop up here to Delaware.
I have enjoyed very much browsing your site. Your tribute to Marie is touching and so is your tribute to your husband. Your pictures are great ,I love getting a peek into your life!
Happy New Year!
btw my Christmas cactus has threatened to burst into bloom but I think the night light near it has changed it’s schedule. It has many buds in various stages so I am hopeful they will bloom. I liked your analogy of God’s plans for us. And isn’t it true that sometimes we let our environment and the changes get us off schedule.
We have a Christmas cactus too, and it was light pink. It’s not nearly as full as yours, but we enjoyed it.
Your barn is an amazing place!! That quilt!! Did you make it?
I am going back to teaching. I will be tailoring a literature class for elementary grades, focusing on critical thinking and deductive reasoning skills. Should be fun and only part time to start off. And the school is right downtown, which I love. We’ll see how it goes…
Oh Jan, I love this post! I know you hate to see your dear friend move far away, but are so happy for her to be able to be near her son and his family. The party you had must have meant so much to her. You’re a dear friend to do it, right after Christmas when you’d been so busy. I know she’s going to miss YOU so much!
Your cactus is just gorgeous. That green thumb of yours is showing, even in the dead of winter.
RYC – You are so funny. I can’t count the times I read a post of yours and thought to myself, “How does she get so much done? Shrunken wool pocketbooks, and quilts, and jam, and writing with depth of insight, and visiting and being a good friend, etc, etc, etc. I wish I were more like her!”
What a wonderful thing you did for Marie, and yes, this gives you another place to travel to.
Fun! Blessings, Pam
I have never seen a Christmas cactus so beautiful!
P.S. You need to visit Rick’s blog. Come to my site for the link. His name is PrairieCowboy. He’s a farmer!
Looks like I’m following Pat around today! Another farm person, I’m subbing right now. Liked your photos of the farm and your hubby. Pretty sweet of you to support him as you do.
And look, we share a December birthday! Nice to meet you.
My mother has my late grandmother’s blooming cactus. I’m not sure what it’s called but it looks exactly like the one above. The interesting thing is that it blooms the same month as Grandmother’s birthday.
What a beautiful tribute to your dear friend! You’re right… she sounds like my Sister Ellis. Aren’t we blessed to have known such sweet women? How fun for you to go and visit her. I’m ashamed that I don’t go visit my friend more often. Her health is not what it should be and she hasn’t been feeling well lately. I thought I better go while I could. I’m glad I did. Hugs to you!