Circle of Friends II
"A true friend reaches for your hand and touches your heart." ~Author Unknown
I watched friendship in action this past week. Several of us were away at a conference when tragedy hit. A friend lost a loved one under horrific circumstances and she was with us states away from home. With her were many people from her state of Oklahoma who know her family, some of which have seen her family grow. In a matter of minutes as the news broke, this team of office mates and volunteers circled their wagons. They stood in support, they filled in to make arrangements to return their friend home, they prayed.
As the week went by, the wagons stayed circled. Everyone on the team started grieving, everyone on the team kept a close watch on each other. In the comings and goings of the conference, it was easy to forget the tragedy that still engulfed this contingent of attendees. Until the final night.
As conferences go, the final dinners seating chart had it's own nuances. I was granted the opportunity to sit with Oklahoma's team at dinner and they embraced me even though I'm from another state. Pictures were taken and conversations were lively as the conference drew to a close. When the Chaplain blessed the food, he asked a special blessing for Oklahoma as they coped with the loss. The team at the tables stayed strong. Everything wrapped up with a beautiful song and a benediction. I tried not to cry through it all, overcome by the business of the week and the energy of so many amazing people in one place. I opened my eyes during the prayer to focus on the people around me and to try to keep the tears at bay.
That is when I saw it. The team of people from Oklahoma were holding hands. Heads bowed, tears flowing, gripped together. This is the way they started the week, and this is the way they were going to end it, with their wagons circled. The beauty of true friendship is just this, through good and bad, you stick together and you make it through.
I'm honored to have witnessed it.
My prayers are with you all ~ stay strong.
I watched friendship in action this past week. Several of us were away at a conference when tragedy hit. A friend lost a loved one under horrific circumstances and she was with us states away from home. With her were many people from her state of Oklahoma who know her family, some of which have seen her family grow. In a matter of minutes as the news broke, this team of office mates and volunteers circled their wagons. They stood in support, they filled in to make arrangements to return their friend home, they prayed.
As the week went by, the wagons stayed circled. Everyone on the team started grieving, everyone on the team kept a close watch on each other. In the comings and goings of the conference, it was easy to forget the tragedy that still engulfed this contingent of attendees. Until the final night.
As conferences go, the final dinners seating chart had it's own nuances. I was granted the opportunity to sit with Oklahoma's team at dinner and they embraced me even though I'm from another state. Pictures were taken and conversations were lively as the conference drew to a close. When the Chaplain blessed the food, he asked a special blessing for Oklahoma as they coped with the loss. The team at the tables stayed strong. Everything wrapped up with a beautiful song and a benediction. I tried not to cry through it all, overcome by the business of the week and the energy of so many amazing people in one place. I opened my eyes during the prayer to focus on the people around me and to try to keep the tears at bay.
That is when I saw it. The team of people from Oklahoma were holding hands. Heads bowed, tears flowing, gripped together. This is the way they started the week, and this is the way they were going to end it, with their wagons circled. The beauty of true friendship is just this, through good and bad, you stick together and you make it through.
I'm honored to have witnessed it.
My prayers are with you all ~ stay strong.
Pam ,
you are an amazing woman and i am honored to know you . This blog tugged at my heart as i read it not only on a personal level having witnessed what i did but in reading this i also want you and others to know that the OUTSIDE support from many (like you) was touching and means more than you know and i just want to thank you for that !
You are a blessing & are so blessed , Love Amber(Oklahoma)
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Amber,
It was humbling to be with you all at such a time and to watch as the events unfolded. Everyone has been in my thoughts and prayers since then. Military families are like no other. Stay strong. Always, Pam
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