The Value of a Friend...

As some of you may know, we recently moved AGAIN! I know I know- we move like we're in the military! We are back in Boise now and glad to be back :) Anyway, one of the hardest parts of leaving good old J-Town (Jerome) was leaving behind some very good friends and neighbors. We really had it made where we lived being lucky enough to live by some of the kindest people we have ever met.
One in particular became a very close friend, and I feel that I havn't fully realized how much she meant to me until we were gone. It was very hard saying goodbye to her and I know I am not the best at telling people how I feel and I regret not letting her know enough how amazing she is.
Just two days after we left this wonderful friend of mine became very ill and they almost lost her. Something somehwat simple turned into a very close call and all I could think about when I heard was how I wasn't there for her when she needed me the most. She has done so much for me and my family that I wish we had been there just one more week and been able to help her out in her time of need.
This woman is more than amazing though- and is being so strong and brave through it all like she always does and carryin on with life as if nothing happened- much to everyone's dismay and wanting for her to tkae it easy and let others take care of her for once :) She never puts herself first in any situation and will got to any end to help those around her. She is the most giving, unselfish, and caring person I have ever met, and I know I have told her many times over how much I appreciate her. I still feel though, especially now after hearing of her recent hospitilization, that I have not quite appreciated her enough or let her know that either.
My words are better in writing than in person so I want her to know that I wish we would have done more together and I would have not taken for granted our time together. It is only after being gone that I really realize how greatful I am for our friendship and how much I miss you. Your good example as a mother, wife, and friend, your wonderful cooking, your abililty to watch ten kids at a time and not lose your mind! Thank you so much dear friend, you know who you are and I hope you are reading this now. Thank you for being who you are, for being the ultimate example of a truly amazing and wonderful person, a second mom to my kids, for helping me pack and clean and move to no avail! You mean the world to me and I even though it seems I never really let you know this I want you to know now and I hope our friendship continues for a long time to come. I'm sorry I was not there for you in your desperate time of need and I wish I was there now to help you recover and get back on your feet. Since I cannot- please let others do this for me :)
I am not the best at keeping in touch with my dear friends, and for that I am sorry. I want all of them to know how much I love them and appreciate them in my life. Take a minute and think of those dear friends in your life and let them know how much they mean to you- because you never know how quickly they could be gone.