Monday, March 28, 2011

~JOY, FRIENDSHIP and RASPBERRY MUFFINS~

 ~BIG FAT RASPBERRY MUFFINS~

All day Sunday and well into the late evening I must admit to you that I was a bit out-of-sorts.  Grief will do that to you I guess.  I suppose that should be expected when you hear the kind of sad news we were given yesterday morning.  Still...as I worked my way into the light of a new day I found my heart reflecting over the past eighteen years and how the goodness of God and His endless blessings in my life always prevail.  A single but comforting thought kept pressing into my heart and for whatever the reason I just couldn't get away from it...

"...weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~Psalm 30: 4-5~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 
~GIFTS FROM MY KITCHEN

I read once that we cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed.  It's said that finding a true friend is like filling a vessel drop by drop until, like a series of kindnesses to the heart, there is at last one which makes it flow over.  Today my heart is running over for even through sorrow and loss, goodness and love remains.
~REMEMBERING TEA with THEE~

When I know ahead of time of a visiting friend, I make Raspberry Muffins in the kitchen of my La Chaumière de Briarwood.  Miss Marion and I indulged in both chamomile tea and in these yummy little confections at least three dozen times during the eighteen plus years we spent as neighbors.  Out of love and gratitude and in the spirit of friendship I decided to bake up a final batch of our favorite treats to honor my amazing, longtime friend...

Around eleven A.M. I walked across the street to extend my sympathies to Miss Marion's hubby and family.  As usual the door swung wide, and warm smiling faces welcomed me in.  I realized in an instant that although sadness was indeed in the air, Miss Marion's family refused to view her passing as anything less than an opportunity to see God...
Incredibly, they had chosen JOY!

After visiting for a few minutes, I returned back home and immediately set about preparing myself a cup of chamomile tea.  I pulled a simple white plate from my cupboard and on it placed the one lone Raspberry Muffin I had originally set aside for a 'future' special day.

"Today is special enough!"  I thought....
"Yes it is!"  
Today I choose JOY!
~~*~~

Thank you for your precious comments yesterday.
(You bless me!)

Love to you...

21 comments:

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Sending a hug...
deb

Rita said...

Your friend would have been so pleased! I'm sure you both enjoyed many times together. May you be comforted knowing where she is! Bless you.

Marilyn said...

Joy in Jesus. Truly sweet. The only one I grieve for is myself because I will miss them so. With the passing, comes great peace and joy for our loved ones. Peace to you, my dear friend. ♥♫

Janet said...

Sorry for the loss of your friend. Glad you have such fond memories of her. Everyone needs some time to grieve. Hugs,Janet

Anonymous said...

So sorry for the loss of your Dear Friend but as you know before you know it your grief will be replaced with wonderful memories!
Love,
Marilyn

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Joy cometh in the morning! How wonderful you took the time to share your life with her and hers with you. What a precious friendship.

Mari said...

HI SWEETIE,
WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO REMEMBER YOUR DEAR FRIEND :) I'M GLAD YOUR FEELING BETTER :)

XO~MARI

Anneke said...

this is a wonderful tribute to your friend,and i am happy that you are feeling better

Vintage Gal said...

What a lovely post and a wonderful way to remember your dear sweet friend. Always choose joy ~ to be absent in this world means we are present with the Lord! rejoice and choose joy. (((Hugs)))

Unknown said...

Dear Rebecca:
You will always remember your friend whenever you have a raspberry muffin or tea and you will someday take comfort in that. Feel better (((hug)))
Roselle

Kim B said...

So sorry to hear the loss of your friend. Sorry I havent been by, blogger does show me your updates...Hope you have a lovely week. Hugs, Kim.

Sue @ Not the Good Scissors! said...

Dearest Rebecca. I cannot think of a more fitting tribute to your friend. You have some beautiful memories and how blessed you are that you got to know her. Many people will live a across the street from someone for years and do not even know their names. How sad is that?

What a beautiful day it is.
Love you my friend.

Sonya Badgley said...

I'm sure Miss Marion was up there smiling down on you as you drank your cup of tea and ate your raspberry muffin in remembrance of her. And knowing that you were experiencing the Lord's joy. There is nothing like it.
Blessings and love,
Sonya

Dolores said...

So very sweet.....so glad your friend's family found joy.... and you did too!
Hugs,

Carol said...

Our souls thirst for the proper words when we lose a loved one. Your visit to Miss Marion's home, I'm sure brought added meaning to the word "JOY" her family was so seeking.

I am also sure Miss Marion was looking down and saying "Thank you for being my special friend & asks you to continue Blessing others in His Name, just as have Blessed me.

Carol from
Good 'Ol Texas

Shirley said...

Hi Rebecca, Even though Miss Marion has passed away you have had something that most people would love to have. The friendship across the street for so many years. Now days you are lucky to get to know your neighbors. Your rasoberry muffin looked so yummy and I know you have wonderful memories which will never fade away. Hugs from Your Missouri Friend.

A Rose Without A Thorn said...

Dear, dear Rebecca, There are times that you will never know of when you lift me when I am down. I was feeling sad and sorry for both Reubs and I today as I took him to his rehab. I was in a "Why Reubs" mood and questioning why he was stricken with M.S. Some days it is a terrible burden and my heart becomes very heavy when I think of his suffering. But today you helped me remember that I should not question why and just remember to have faith. Thank you dear friend, hugs always, Maureen.

NanaDiana said...

What a sweet and lovely telling, Rebecca! I love it-love it that you did that-love it that the family welcomed you in as if you were family.

The biggest truth in this whole post though is that we can choose Joy. Even in sadness there are moments of joy. When the day is long and dreary we can sink down in despair or choose Joy...and it is a choice...one that some people don't realize is available to them. I love that old song that says My Joy is in the Lord.

Thank you for your beautiful posts. I always feel a bit brighter when I leave here! xxoo Diana

Theresa said...

SWEET memories Rebecca of your SWEET friend! Memories of Muffins with Mrs. Marion and you made another memory by taking them over to her family! LOVE is KIND:) Have a blessed day my friend! HUGS!

Pink Roses and Teacups said...

Oh Rebecca,

So sorry to hear of the passing of your dear friend. What a sweet remembrance of her. I'm sure she was indeed smiling down on you.

Hugs,
Debbie

karen said...

Hugs to you.

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