Monday, October 10, 2011

Mom's Friend, Jean

In prosperity our friends know us; in adversity we know our friends.
John Churton Collins

Mom has a good friend with the same given name "Jean".  They have been friends for many years now.  Jean was actually the pastor's wife at the little church where I went to Sunday School as a child. Her husband was a school bus driver who pastored the small church where I was allowed to attend on Sundays and during the week even though my family were not Christian.

I loved that church. I loved going to Sunday School and learning scripture verses. I especially enjoyed Christmas and the re-enactment of the biblical story of Jesus' birth. Jean's son would faithfully arrive at our  home several times each week to take my siblings and I to church services and functions.  Once or twice a year, my mother would attend church too and "pretend" she was a Christian. We laugh about it years later when mom realized she wasn't fooling anyone but herself.  Yet everyone was so gracious and loving toward her.




After we moved away from that small town and the "little church" as I like to call it, the pastor and his wife Jean moved to Alberta, the province next door.  A few years later he died of a heart attack.  His wife and only daughter, the youngest of the children,  have been living together ever since. I've never seen them since I was a child but my mother and Jean have kept in touch over the years, especially after mom became a Christian and a widow herself.


I wanted a pink brooch for Jean but didn't find exactly what I was looking for. This pin was the closest I could come to finding what I wanted. I think the addition of the pearls matches nicely with the winter white pashmina shawl.


Through the years the two women have remained firm friends, seeking each other out for heart to heart conversations and for prayer for family and health needs.Jean is about 10 years older than mom.   Mom's health has steadily declined in recent years and not too long ago mom asked me to help her buy something for her friend, Jean. Of course I readily agreed.



A friend loves at all times.
Proverbs 17:17

After some reflection of Jean's age and limited needs, I decided upon a nice shawl and pin which Jean could wear to church.  She could also wear the shawl around the house if she feels a child.  Since I was buying a gift for mom's friend. I also bought something similar for mom.  She can wear them when she attends church services at the residence where she now lives.



You can't really tell but the shawl does match with graduated rose and plum colours which are picked up in the crystals.


My mother and Jean enjoying a long and wonderful friendship has been a comfort to me.  Over the years they have confided in one another and prayed with one another through many health episodes and other challenges.  As Jean advances in age and increasingly gets sick herself, my thoughts turn to her and her daughter and I offer prayers for their needs too.


In this year's Thanksgiving remembrance, 
I give thanks for my mom's enduring friendship which has not only blessed my mother,
but the entire family.
What are you most thankful for this year?

8 comments:

Jo said...

What a lovely post about two dear friends. And you, like the Jean's daughter, are a wonderful daugther to your mom. I pray for both these gracious ladies in their golden years. Bless you dearest Penny, Jo

Phillip said...

A good friend is priceless.

Joyful said...

Thank you, Jo! I know that Jean's daughter and she are very close like mom and I. God bless you for praying with me for these two gracious ladies.

I hope you are recovering and still taking it easy my friend ;-)

Joyful said...

Phillip, thank you for your visit. A good friend is indeed so precious.

Kay L. Davies said...

Jo and Phillip have pretty much said it all, Penny, and I agree with them.
My parents' lifelong friends were like aunts and uncles to me and to my siblings. We treasured them always.

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

Joyful said...

That's great Kay. I don't think of Jean as my aunt though because I never see her and have only recently been having more direct contact with her. I just think of her as a special spiritual mother. Thanks for stopping by! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

Kilauea Poetry said...

Very pretty with a touching post. Thanks for sharing the memories and inspiration..really it is and should be.
I would have to say my husband because of the situation I'm in physically -in that he does understand a lot more now. I almost put my dog (lol) but I'm so greatful for our animals and of course kids. The animals seem to get into less trouble (ha ha). Anyway, these are some positive highlights through the years..glad your family has kept it together-

Joyful said...

Thank you, Regina. It's wonderful that you can be so thankful for the help meet of your husband. I know just how much help he is to you if you are not well. May God bless him and continue to give him strength and may God heal you too. Hugs. xx

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