Diane

I am not a very social person, so I am most comfortable sitting back and observing the crowd for a while. I have to really push myself to talk with someone new, but once I do then I really can open up -- sometimes too much!! I like to sit in my own “comfort zone” usually behind a table, watching and listening, and when someone comes over to talk about the items on my table I then have a good reason to talk and laugh with that person. This way I force myself to be interactive rather than sitting like a lump all the time.

I have made it my mission, my ministry, at regional church events to support the Women’s Ministry table. There I can talk with women who stop by and I can interest them in reading about this or that; and, of course, get to know them a little bit and they can get to know me a little bit.

This weekend I sat behind the Women’s Ministry information table and listened to the sermons, music, and just observed everyone as they passed by. My friend Diane came over during one session and asked if she could join me in my “comfort zone” and I was so glad to share this space.

Diane is a very special person to me. I first met her about 6 ½ years ago when my son Charlie went to his first summer church camp. He was just out of 2nd grade and nervous about being away from home for a week with a group of virtual strangers. Diane took him under her wings and made him so very comfortable and loved.

When I went to pick up Charlie at the end of the week, Diane came over to me, introduced herself, hugged me and then expressed how much she loved Charlie, and what a pleasure it was to get to know him. I have made it a point to hug Diane every time I see her. We don’t get to meet often because we are both busy people, but the heartfelt genuine affection and love for one another is there always. This is a soul-deep friendship.

Suzie

This past weekend I attended my church’s Annual Meeting in Pacific Grove. We stay at the Asilomar Conference Grounds. What a wonderful, beautiful place… even when it is raining as it was this weekend. The people make it so. I had the privilege of meeting Suzie and becoming closer to my friend Becky.

This was the first time that I had ever met Suzie, as far as I can remember anyhow. I was sitting talking to Becky and working on my cross-stitch. Suzie came over to see what I was working on and told me that her husband also works cross-stitch. I sat next to Suzie for lunch on Saturday and she had forgotten we met Friday afternoon, and said “Oh this is Michelle. I have heard a lot about you from Becky!” Through-out the rest of the weekend I was able to talk more about her and heard the story of how she and her husband met courted and married. I was amazed to learn that Suzie is only 2 years younger than my dad… I thought she was maybe 45 tops!! I feel like I made a real good friend this weekend and I know that I can never have too many friends.

Blogging Away

I have been hearing about this... blogging... and never could figure out if I would want to do anything about it. Seems a little public, but I figure I tell everyone everything about my life anyways, so may as well get into the 21st century --- finally. This is just a start and will post some other time.. have a meeting to get to and I am going to be late as it is! BUH-BYE