God Knows...

God always knows best what I need and when I need it...and He always takes care of me. This I know. Today was a perfect example.A package arrived in the mail, but I was in the middle of something, so although I saw it on the counter, I didn't immediately go to see what it was. When I did...I was immediately filled with excitement. You see, the package was from my oldest and dearest friend, Cyd.

I'm blessed to have a handful of women I call dear friends, with whom I've shared the majority of my life...Cyd, Laura Ann Elizabeth, Linda, Jill and Lee. Each one has been a trusted and loving friend who has known my heart and my deepest thoughts for over twenty years, but I've known Cyd the longest.

We've been friends since the first day of first grade - nearly fifty years! On that first day of school, she walked into the classroom with her strawberry blonde braids. As I gazed upon her beautiful face, she looked at me with my equally long, but dark-haired braids. In our classroom, the teacher, Mrs. Kerr, always assigned a "seasoned" student to accompany the "new kid" for the day. She said, "Donna, will you be Cindy's friend today?" and as Cindy looked at my face, I replied that I would. We became fast friends from that moment on.

We shared all our grade school years together. We walked to and from school, had sleepovers at each others houses, shared crushes on the same boys, waded through the creek at the hospital, rode our bikes home with wet hair (that turned to icicles in the winter) after hours swimming at the YMCA, laughed, cried and shared our deepest secrets. Even our parents became friends.

As we grew older, we had separate interests, but always knew our hearts were safe with - and belonged to - each other forever. We didn't need to commandeer each other's time. In fact, we've gone years without a word, just knowing that we're always there for each other. I don't ever remember a hurtful word uttered from one of us to the other. We've always been friends who respected each other too much for that. That's not to say we didn't disagree, but we always did it with consideration for each other. I can't remember when we've ever not loved each other...in spite of all the years and distance and separate families.

Today, I opened that box and was filled with emotion.
A note from my friend and gifts from her past, given to me.
A beautiful vintage valentine and wedding card...
Old laces...
crocheted doilies, coasters and dresser scarves...

precious hankies, embroideries and vintage linens...

and antique cardboard advertising fans with the sweetest images...

I was literally overcome with emotion. Emotion knowing that this incredible woman thought of me and sent this box of precious memories to me. Emotion knowing that we'll love each other as the dearest of friends until we die. Emotion knowing that God sent her to me all those years ago, and keeps her safe and in my life as we grow older. This dear, precious friend for all my life. God knew just what I needed today. Yet again, I am blessed.

The photo of me with Cyd (she'll always be "Cindy" to me, as I'll always be "Dee" to her) was taken in 1965 in my parent's living room. (I was 11 years old. Cyd slightly younger.) We had spent the day ice skating at the rink on Fourth Street in Fond du Lac (Wisconsin). We always stayed out until our feet froze, and when we got home, there was a roaring fire in the fireplace. Those were the days...