I found out last week that a good friend of ours from China had suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. He and his wife were living in Texas and since his wife is one of my best friends, I flew down for the memorial service with Baby.
It was wonderful to see my dear, sweet friend. Heartbreaking to see the raw pain in her eyes.
Several other friends from China also traveled to be at the service and that part was an amazing reunion. But what a reason to meet again! We all wished we could come together to celebrate, not grieve.
But, as my friend so wisely says, "It is what it is."
Sometimes life is like that. Things are what they are. It's rare to find an explanation on this earth. We have to wait for it.
In Chinese we call that same sentiment mei banfa. Accepting what we cannot change.
I was so honored to be with my sweet, strong friend. Thank you to all the people who made the trip possible.
My sister-and brother-in-law gave up a huge number of air miles to buy me a free ticket.
My cousin gave me a place to stay one night, and Kristin Rae opened her home to me another night and bought me Red Mango yogurt.
Friends from China paid for my dinners.
My friend's mother-in-law treated me like one of the family and invited me to hang out at her house with everyone the day after the memorial service. She even let Baby nap on one of her beds.
My sister-in-law and mother-in-law in Washington watched my kids while the dashingly handsome sidekick was at work.
So many people blessed me.
My cousin even lent me his GPS so I wouldn't get lost in Houston!
It was a crazy, quick, emotionally devastating, but also strangely uplifting trip. I'm exhausted, glad to be home, but with my sweet friend and her two little girls always on my heart.
Say a prayer for them if you think of it.
"...We do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him." (I Thessalonians 4: 13-14, NIV)
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I'm so sorry for your loss Amy.
ReplyDeletePrayers flying for your dearly departed friend and his family. Yes, we'd all like to have a reunion under happy circumstances, but I can see how richly blessed you are in your friends. God bless.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry Amy, what a time of sadness and reunion...saying a prayer right now.
ReplyDeleteHow lucky and blessed you all are to have each other to lean on in times like these.
What a difficult thing to go through. I'm feeling for you.
ReplyDeleteI also wrote down mei banfa. Will be thinking of that expression for quite some time.
~ Wendy
I'm sending you a hug Amy dear.
ReplyDeleteI'm so, so sorry. That had to be so difficult. I'll keep your friend in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteOh Amy, I'm so sorry to read this. *hugs* I will be praying for that sweet family and you.
ReplyDeleteCatherine Denton
So sorry to hear about your friend. I'm glad you had so many blessings to go back and be there
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss, Amy. Thoughts and prayers are with you, your friend and her family...
ReplyDeleteHow sad and yet... you got to be with people you haven't seen in a while. I hope despite the sorrow there were moments of laughter and remembering happier times.
ReplyDeleteHi Amy .. what a wonderful family and friends to help you get there and then support you at this sad, yet uplifting time.
ReplyDeleteSo difficult and your friend with her two children will need your long distance support ...
My thoughts are with you all - but so lovely everyone helping so much .. Hilary
So sorry for you and your friend's loss. It is an honor to be there to help a friend in a time of need.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have some amazing friends and family. :)
God certainly provided for your trip, that's amazing. And it was so great spending time with you and the little one. (And I guess I may have done a bad thing with the Red Mango if you're still talking about it ;)
ReplyDeleteOh, Amy. I'm so sorry. I've been amazed this year at what people will do for you when you're hurting. We must look for and see the blessings in our times of grief. Praying for you and the friends and family of your dear friend.
ReplyDelete