Virginia and Martha

Best Friends

“Do not be dismayed by the brokenness of the world. All things break and all things can be mended. Not with time as they say, but with intention. So go. Love intentionally, extravagantly, unconditionally. The broken world waits in darkness for the light that is you." 
L.R. Knost

I attended a lecture on love last night. For the most part, the presenter talked about love between long term partners and spouses, but she also mentioned best friends, children and grandchildren. This photo is of my mother, Virginia, and her best friend, Martha. The picture was taken at my niece's wedding, and my children had driven to North Carolina from Alabama and Georgia for the wedding. Mother completely ignored them. She had eyes for no one but Martha—they kept their heads together the entire evening, talking exclusively to one another as if their lives depended on it. Mother was six weeks away from dieing, and Martha would follow about a year later. They had known each other since the late 1950's, had been next-door neighbors for several years, and raised their children together. They had shared each others joys and sorrows, bailed one another out of trouble when needed, and given and taken tons of advice, not to mention coffee and chocolate cake. And even though they didn't see each other very often at the time the photo was taken, their love was as strong as ever. They were closer than sisters, heart-connected.

At the wedding reception, I was mad at Mother for ignoring her grandchildren, including the bride, who'd planned her wedding in the town where Mother lived, just so she could be there. But when I look at the picture now, I realize that Mother and Martha were a life-line for each other right to the end of their lives. They were doing what needed to be done, and what they would never have another chance to do. Their bond was indestructible. I like to think of them now, sharing a cup of coffee together in a better place, with those beautiful smiles on their faces.

Love is love—whether it's between spouses, lovers, best friends, parents and children, or between one human being and the world at large. Love shared intentionally, expansively, without boundaries can heal the wounds of this broken world. Love has the power to light up the darkest night. Go out there and be love today.

                                                          In the Spirit,

                                                              Jane