Friends are Friends Forever

10 years ago today, I lost my best friend. It seems like a lifetime ago.

I think everyone has one of these types of friends. We were the two people that everyone thought would someday get married. We were never actually "boyfriend and girlfriend" unless you count a couple of months in 7th grade, but I loved him and he loved me. Sometimes it was a brother sister kind of love and sometimes it was more. But bottom line, he was there for me and I was there for him. We would talk all hours of the night on the phone. He would listen to me complain about my boyfriends and he would tell me I was too good for them. I would listen to him complain about his love life and then we'd talk about how we should be together. The timing just never seemed right for us. But I just knew that he would always be there. My forever friend. The kind of friend that you can go weeks without talking to and then pick right back up where you left off. The kind of friend that you run to when you lose a loved one or your heart gets broken. Then one day he was gone. No notice, no frantic phone call in the middle of the night, no chance to say goodbye. No chance to tell him how much I valued his friendship and loved him.

Robert John Hamilton ended his life on May 16, 1998 at the age of 21. He was my friend, my best friend and I miss him everyday.

Happy Mother's Day

Since tomorrow is Mother's Day I thought it was fitting to post my favorite scripture about mothers. My Pastor read this every year on Mother's Day. This was always followed by honoring the youngest mother, the oldest mother and the mother with the most children by giving them a corsage. It's funny that would come to mind so many years later. Happy Mother's Day!

10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

14She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31:10-31