Don’t you just love when opportunities for friendship fall right into your lap?
A few weeks ago, I wrote a story called “Soul Service.” It was about a mini vacation we took to some state parks. Fate was on our side that weekend because a ranch we had never been to before had an open cabin on super short notice.
While we were staying there, my husband had a conversation with the owners and they mentioned some upcoming work they were researching and needing help with.
Would you believe their project was something we’ve done many times and love doing? Funny how those type of things seem to fall into line sometimes.
So, a few days before Easter weekend, my husband, Little Bit, Ozzy (our dog) and I, loaded up and went back to the ranch.
I’ll tell you what, there’s just something about standing on the side of a mountain, doing manual labor, and actually feeling lucky to be there. I felt like I was inhaling gratitude.
How awesome is that? I love how helping others seems to turn our thankful faucets on.
Three days later, with the task complete, we were asked to join them for Easter dinner.
Easter dinner with almost strangers? I can’t tell you how much it meant to sit down at that table. I don’t know about you, but sharing a holiday meal between families pretty much drops strangers from the equation and seals the deal in true friendships.
As we pulled out of the driveway to leave, an old familiar feeling appeared. I felt almost like I was leaving home.
My, how I love that. Here’s to new friends.
Unmeasured Journeys 
OK, who plucked the eyes out of the first egg! :)
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Ha ha! Wasn’t me! :)
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Wonderful. Big smiles here, too. :)
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Fate worked her magic with you and I becoming friends, too! 💐
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What a SWEET comment; thank you so much. I feel the same. :)
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You’re more than welcome. My theory from years of people popping in and out of our lives is, the Universe gives us who we need when we need them.
Blogging has given me friends that I never would’ve met otherwise. I’m SO grateful for that. :) You always support my stories. Thank you for that!
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I have a suspicion that after the first 5 minutes with those people, you all were not strangers anymore.. And after 3 days ? I’m pretty sure it was like a family get together.. 😊
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You make me SMILE SO BIG, time and time again! I think you’re right. 💜
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What a wonderful way to spend Easter, Jessica. Being amongst nature, doing physical work with love and gratitude and helping others at the same time. Beautiful. And then to be invited to eat at their table and making new friends. It was all obviously meant to be. So glad you enjoyed. :-)
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Thank you so much Miriam. I love those “meant to be’s”. Pretty much describes our friendship. PS How’s your mum? Did you get to see her for Easter?
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You’re right, it does describe our friendship. Mum is okay, thanks Jessica. We managed to get her to my sister’s place for Easter lunch and we had a lovely afternoon together. Although she didn’t say anything there was an air of contentment about her, like she knew she was surrounded by loving family. I think she was definitely “with us” in a way she hadn’t been in a while. It was a very peaceful time we spent together.
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Oh, Miriam, I can just picture her sitting with her family, soaking up the atmosphere of love and laughter and just being together. I love that contentment surrounded her. I bet that was so comforting to you. I’ll pray that she stays “with you”. If I could insert a giant heart in here, it would be rainbow colored and plastered with smiley faces. I’m just so happy for you and when I read what you wrote, I got all choked up.
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Thank you so much Jessica. Yes, it was a comfort to us,even if the afternoon was fleeting. I’m grateful for and I grab and hold fast onto every moment of joy I feel from her. Thank you for your beautiful warm wishes Jessica, they always mean so much to me. Big hug to you my friend.
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Love how you savor the moments… All of them. Love that about you. Hugs right back, friend!
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Ozzy is such a able-bodied swimmer! I wish Alaska was as fearless when it comes to water :) Hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend!
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We did. Hope you had a great one, too. You should have seen Ozzy. He is 14 and has arthritis pretty bad, yet when we got in the paddle boats on that lake, he stood at he waters edge and barked like crazy! He wanted in a boat!
After several attempts of trying to get him loaded in a boat, he decided to swim around after us instead. I adore this picture because he looks so graceful and pain free. And, also because that water is crystal clear. It is a spring fed lake and you can see clear to the bottom.
I have to be honest with you, I love your Alaska. I’m not sure how that’s even possible since I have never even seen her in real life. But, she is always smiling. Love that!
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