Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Just say hi



Isn’t it amazing how God brings people into our lives at just the right time when we need them or they need us or we need each other? Meeting the Crandall’s was definitely a Divine appointment. I pretty much stalked them in the hallway at church because they were a family with 3 boys and a little girl from China! This was while we were waiting for Kamryn so I felt a nudging to say hello. Good thing I didn’t shy away and just hope to run into them again. We instantaneously connected and had lots more in common than almost identical looking families.

Sadly, I took them to the airport last Sunday because they moved back to Colorado. We are all missing them so much already. Last weekend was a rough one, with lots of tears and questions from the boys like, “why do they have to move?” We moved here three years ago, and had lots of people asking that same question about us. Heartaches are hard to witness and hard to go through, but in the end, it means that you have loved and been loved, and that’s what we need to keep doing. We need to keep connecting with people.

Interesting enough, connections can also be made without even physically meeting each other. Through this adoption journey, I have special friends that I haven’t even met, but only “talk” to online. These gals simply emailed us congratulations, and through many, many more chats, I can truly say that they are as special as the friends that I spend time with on a regular basis.

If it’s meant to be, you even get more than one chance at a special friendship. Thanks to second chances, Carol & I became friends. Our older boys were on the same spring baseball team. We connected and exchanged phone numbers, but life got in the way, and soon spring turned to fall. Miraculously, our boys were on the same fall soccer team too. We realized it wasn’t luck, and we’ve been close friends ever since.

So on a closing note, remember to stay in touch with those special people already in your life, but don’t be afraid to say hi to a stranger who just may become one of your best friends.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a fun,happy picture! I love it!

Anonymous said...

Hey,

For a young sprout, you are pretty darn wise. Those are very insightful words. Words that I, for one, am going to take to heart. Be sure to have the boys write to each other. Real paper and evelopes, not just e-mail. It's fun to get an old-fashioned letter. Give Kam a crayon and have her go to town too. Great picture, looks like everyone has a wonderful life, and isn't that what we are all striving for. Thanks for your thoughts. You are so right, you are all VERY loved.

Love always,

Lin

Chrissie said...

Such true words, Julie. I consider you one of my "online" special friends, and I'm so happy to have your support through our wait. Much love,

Chrissie