Sharon=Tzofiya

    Thirty-five years ago a little redhead with lopsided earrings (one long and danglely, the other short and low-keyed) came into my homeroom. She sat on a desk and asked me if there was something she could do for me out of school  to earn credits for her confirmation.
     All I could think of was to stack firewood. I mentioned it facetiously, and to my surprise, she agreed. Thus began my long association with my youngest child (who is older than my only child), Sharon.
     I don't exaggerate when I say my life was not possible without this young woman. Faithfully she started helping with my firewood; she volunteered to babysit without payment; she became my daughter's best friend--and mine as well--a feat that still amazes me. She can meet the needs of a person six years younger and at the same time devote her friendship to one twenty years older.
     I watched her grow--to love and to forgive and to give.
     I always wanted more children and biologically that never happened. But God is faithful and gave me Sharon. I love her like my daughter. I appreciate the love, dedication, faithfulness she gave me. I know she believes it's the other way around. But Sharon is proof to the adage, you cannot outgive God.
     She's Tzofiya (Sophia)--which means watcher, guardian, scout.

     Love you, little mamma.

Shelley: My Reut

      Shelley F--my Reut in such a true fashion. I met Shelley nearly ten years ago at a Hofstra writing conference. Her poetry delights as she writes with an enviable skill. And during that week of poetry workshops we connected. She lives in my old neighborhood and when I get to Long Island, I try to include a trip to Queens. Unfortunately, it doesn't happen very often.
     She was one of my first blog followers and whether she leaves a comment or not, she reads it regularly. But beyond that, I love her thought process. My faith systems is founded on hers--I'm an evangelical Christian, she's a conservative Jew, and both of us follow our faith with conviction. She shares hers with me and has taught me a lot about my foundation. And she's always treated my faith with dignity and respect.
     She's brought me a world foreign to me: her son taught in Korea and married a Korean woman, Misun, and I've learned about Sun's cuture. Shelley regularly takes in foreign students, and I learn their world.
     When we write to each other, the emails come fast and furiously, then they'll stop for months. However, I know they won't cease permanently. She's as true a friend as any I see up here in the frozen north.
     Thanks, Shelley, this blog does little to show how greatly I value you as Reut: friendship.

Joe and Linda: Ovadya and Jemina

     Very simply, without this duo, our James and John (Joanna?), Lifeway wouldn't be. Nor would Barnabas House and Hope House. Our community would be short of many services and we would be deprived of a meaningful church life.
     Joe's carefully crafted sermons feed a diverse congregation--he can quote Robert Frost and apply his poetry to Biblical principals. In the same sermon, he appeals to others with real-life examples that bring the Word to life.
     And Linda, who claims she does nothing--does more than she can ever imagine. Not a birthday or anniversary, birth or death goes by without an acknowledgment. She keeps us apprised of needs and prays continually. Joe could not accomplish all he does without the stability of this wonderful woman.
     Together they give a wide field for the Lifeway sheep to graze in. No harsh directives, no extraneous rules, no burdens difficult to bear are placed upon the congregants. However, if Joe says no--you know you've strayed and it's best to check your life.
     Ovadya--is Joe a true servant of God. Jemina is truly his right hand. Thank you for being on my dream team.

     PS Someday, ask Joe to perform his New Year's Eve happy dance.

Nediva or Debbie G

Image by Sam Howzit via Flickr

Imagine 12 of these on your lawn!

     I ran my first marathon over my birthday weekend--I came home to the disciples, in the form of pink flamingos, all over my lawn. Debbie hadn't forgotten my birthday. Nor had she forgotten the work I put into the marathon. She spent the end of summer, going from store to store to find these "hideous" creatures to bless me with. And bless me, she did indeed--as she always does.
     In my fridge she stored my favorite cake--an almond torte. And anyone who ever tasted Debbie's baking knows for a fact, she's good.
     She remembers everything. I've gotten Christmas cards that enumerated my year; she recalled details that escaped my mind.
      During my stint in Romania, she kept eye on my daughter and when I returned, I discovered my overgrown, moss-ridden, backyard patio had been so thoroughly weeded, it looked brand new. (She took as good care of Sarah as my house.)
     I owe to her a drawer full of funky socks, given along with genuine gifts of things I loved.
     She's left me now and I'm glad. Away from the cold North Country, she lives in Maryland, has a new job and a new chance at happiness--something she deeply deserves.
    I've Christened her with the Hebrew name Nediva: Generous. She epitomizes that trait.

Ellen=Yoana

     Thirty years ago as a new Christian, I perused Livingstone Bookstore in Potsdam. A woman there told me a Christian woman she knew would be working at my school. Having just become a Christian and having been transferred to the high school, I leaped for joy--and I'm not being metaphorical. God sent me an answer to prayer--my Joana--my "God has answered."
     Ellen is perfect--had I found the name that meant perfect--that would be hers. If Midas was the name for a Hebrew girl--it would be hers. Anything she touches turns to gold. Give her an oil pastel, she'll produce a masterpiece. Let her hold a pen and her poetry flows more beautiful and freely than anything I labor over.
     She loves unconditionally. Currently she has two unrelated people living with her. One would be in a nursing home, the other on the streets if not for her.
     Her house is clean and elegant. She esteems friends highly. Artistic, creative, kind and loving. I hope Mark realizes what a treasure she is.

Levia--a Lioness: AKA Tina

I remember her best with coffee.

     I sat in Jon's Restaurant at 5:30 on a Friday morning. My coffee already ordered. I stared at the window and wondered a silly thought: Would Tina show up? To this point in my adult life, friends proved traitorous--usually fodder for my ex-husband. But Tina wanted to forge a relationship and she had a character no other friend of mine has ever had.

or at the beach

    



And how do I define that character? She knew how to love and with that love shower me with tenderness. She was, not only my friend, but my pastor's wife as well. When I erred, Tina knew how to correct. She brought me up in the Lord, mentored me. And she plays well with others.

     Often we'd head to Meacham with a pup tent and a few camping supplies. Her daughter Rebekah and my daughter Sarah would help us set up camp and then frolic together. We'd all climb mountains or canoe (unfortunately our canoe tended to go in circles. We would have gotten as much exercise in a round, above-ground pool.)

     Unfortunately, I rarely see her these days. But by Levia (the Hebrew name for Lioness) is still on the top of my "dream team" list.

Our life wouldn never be complete without Al.

My Dream Team: Day 1/11

A winning team does not consist of one member--but many--each sharing her or his gift to make the group succeed. This ideally analogizes people in my life: friends have made me be better than I ever could on my own. So who would be on my dream team? Excluding family--over the next eleven days I'll unveil my dream team.

Linda R--my mentor and fellow blond. Linda has tutored me in the writing profession; she's shared writing opportunities with me, even knowing I could be competition. In conferences she's pitched my work along with hers. She added me to her crit group, even though one more member could well overcrowd it. She's strong in faith and faithful in friendship. Because of her, I'm closer to being a professional writer.

For six months, Linda and her husband took in their grandson who had been having some issues at home. This action took away from her writing and finances--but Andy thrived, the family rejuvenated.

Even in "little" things, Linda shows her faithfulness. Like many authors, she has a long friends' list on Facebook. If you are her "Friend" you are not hidden. She reads the posts and remembers each person.

She's talented--writes beautifully, acts well, and can even sing. Above all this, she is faith and love and loyalty personified. In Hebrew the girl's name Tzofiya means watcher, guardian, scout. Those words define her well. Linda protects those she loves.