Considering Friendship

There is an email that has been circulating around cyberspace for several years that starts out:

"People come into your life for a reason, or a season, or a lifetime." The full length of the reflection is too long to include here, and can be found easily with a google search of the exact words in quotations.

However, the part of the reflection "for a season" is short enough to include here:

When people come into your life for a SEASON . . .
Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount
of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

During Isabel's residence at Wascana, there have been many people that have come through her door for a season or a reason and have moved on -- other residents who have moved or died ~ and their family members, students who work with Isabel each day during a 6-week internship and then return to school, nurses or therapists who care generously and lovingly for nearly three years and then move to another job.

This past week was a time to unexpectedly experience friendship for 30 hours. Isabel met out-of-province family members of a new 100 year old resident of Unit 2-6. She and old friends (who were tea-partying together) were invited to come to the 100th birthday party. Then Mum got to know these family members from Ontario and British Columbia as they chatted together in the hostel. Bright and early, the next morning, three of the family members showed up at Isabel's door to get to know her more and to learn from her about her experiences of 2-6, and thus how they could be supportive to their 100 year old Aunt. And then they returned again and again that day to use Mum's internet connection, to show off their "Cowtown" purchases, to borrow Mum's CDs for their aunt, to share laughter and stories and blessings of many sorts. And finally, they came very late at night to leave a parting gift with THANKS for her hospitality. Outside Mum's window, imprinted in deep snow by scuffling feet is a very large heart, a horse, and an angel. The horse is in the photo above.

On Friday, Isabel and her faithful Rufus lll headed over to The Bentley on Hillsdale Avenue to visit friends of nearly 60 years. Thank goodness for friend Russ and his faithful van to plough through Regina's second big snowfall of the season.

For a reason, a season, a lifetime or for a mere 30 hours before out-of-province visitors headed home again......friendship to be treasured.