My Angel in the Cute Green House

A few weeks ago, I lost a dear childhood friend to cancer, we had known each other since we were young, our families were close, and we spent a lot of time together. I remember one Sunday we all went to pick chokecherries, On the way back we got bored and started a chokecherry fight. I am sure our moms' weren't very happy, because not only were we really covered in berries, but we wasted some of their berries they worked so hard to pick. My blonde hair had purple stains for weeks. So many precious, priceless memories. Our friendship continued as we grew up, but after high school we lost touch. We’d comment on each other's Facebook posts, and I felt at least that was something.  A few years ago, I reached out to him when his mom suddenly passed away and we talked for a while, but when I heard he had cancer, even though I thought about him and wanted to reach out I never did.

I have this running route through town that I tend to run several times a week that goes past this cute little green house. If I was consistent with my timing, there was a lady that would stand in the front window and cheer me on every time I went past. It truly made my day and I looked forward to seeing her each time. She was my angel.  I thought many times how I wanted to get her flowers, leave her a note or something just to let her know how much she meant to me even though we'd never officially met.  With the COVID restrictions I was worried about how to accomplish it without putting her at any risk. I got injured and my running turned into walking which took me a different path and if I took the one past her house, I was way behind the normal schedule and I had not seen her in a while. 

The morning after I found out about my friend, I ran past the green house hoping to see that beautiful, smiling face in the window. In my mind I could really have used some cheering that day.  My heart sank when instead, I saw a new for sale sign in front of the house, the curtains were drawn and from the road I could see that the house was empty. This lady made an impact in my life, and I didn't even know her name.  Suddenly, I was left with not one, but two big regrets, a heart that was hurting and the feelings of losing my dad came close to the surface.  All I could focus on was the time that I could never get back and change things.

A few days later a friend came to stay with me for the weekend.  She'd heard I was volunteering at an event and jumped right in offering to help too. We got to my house at 2:00 am that morning after working on another project for that day and she admitted that she was not feeling well. She decided to sleep in a bit in the morning but would make it to the event in time to help.  Morning came quick and I left quietly trying to not wake her.  A little while later I sent her a text, that just said, "I put some tea on the counter, help yourself to anything, there are plenty of volunteers here, so just relax and take care of yourself." We touched base a few times and met up as the event was ending, went about our plans and had a great rest of the day.  The next afternoon at lunch, she tearfully expressed how much that text meant to her, to know that someone cared about how she was feeling and only wanted what was best for her.  I said it was just a little text. That is when she taught me an incredible lesson, if we are thinking about someone, reach out.  We might think it is nothing, but they may think it is everything. There is a reason they crossed your mind.  Little did she know that she was the answer to my prayers.  

No, I could not get time back to fix things with the people I have lost, but I can honor them by reaching out to those that are here, near and far.  I can honor my angel in the green house by being a cheerleader for others, my friend by supporting the fight against cancer and my dad by seeing a need and quietly taking care of it.  (He was so good at that).  I can send that quick text, express gratitude more often and most importantly listen and jump into action when the spirit guides me to do something for others. 

I am grateful to friends that supported me that weekend, without knowing the whole story. Who listened to the spirit and were guided in all that they did. They were my angels! The weekend ended and my soul felt complete once again.

So my advice...Enjoy life!

Let those you love know how you feel about them 

and

 if someone crosses your mind send that text! 

XOXO

Tiffanee