Shelah

Continuing my Friend Series...

I don't know if it will ever be possible for a friend I met online to have a greater positive impact than Shelah.

I first discovered her when she was guest posting on one of the blogs I read. It had been a while since any post there had really resonated with me...but every time I read something that touched me, it turned Shelah was the author. Her voice was a breath of fresh air. Next she guest posted on a different blog I was a fan of. Soon she'd been invited to be a "perma" on both blogs, and I was reading her words there on a regular basis, as well as her own, personal blog.

At that time, her family lived in Houston. I'd been commenting on her posts for the better part of a year when the dreaded trip to Houston came up. On the off chance we might have time to meet while there (and to possibly give me something happy to look forward to during it), I emailed to let her know I was headed that way. Without even having met me, she offered to let me stay with them if I needed a place.

So we met. Her family was adorable. She fed me dinner and then we went out for gelato (I am crazy for gelato!) and talked for a while and then said good night. I left their house in the dead of night to fly home again, and that could have been the end of it.

But it wasn't!

Last summer, her husband finished his fellowship and began interviewing for jobs all over. I count it as one of my greatest blessings that of all the places they could have ended up (and all the houses they tried to buy before the one they finally purchased), they ended up moving into a home that is a mere five minute walk away from ours.

Despite the fact that we live so close, our kids don't attend the same schools, and because there are so many Mormon's here, we aren't anywhere close to being in the same congregation at church. But our kids are friends, and in the past year, Shelah has become almost like another mother...my backup in the case that I'm gone and Doc is stuck at the hospital. She just takes Bunch & Gator in.

I don't know how she does it--that ability to care for them, all while convincing me it's no problem. I've been flying for 9+ years now, and most of that time I've just been winging it from month-to-month as far as figuring out what to do with my kids in my absence while Doc's at work. I feel bad asking for help too often from people. I haven't wanted to burden anyone with my responsibilities. It might just be a tender mercy, but knowing she's here has reduced my mommy anxiety levels about a zillion notches. I'm convinced that she secretly really is She-Ra!

This year I'm grateful that I have a little opportunity to help her out too. She's gone back to school, and between Bunch and I, we've got her covered if she ever needs outside help. It's such a blessing to me to be able to do something for her after all she's done for us. And have I mentioned yet that I simply love her kids?! They're terrific.

(The very fortunate) Mr. Shelah and Doc work at the same hospital right now. I'm hoping that we are able to stay here for the long haul (beyond fellowship), and that we'll have years and years near each other. For now, I'm just so happy to have such a priceless friendship so nearby.

Grateful for (Shelah edition):

She "gets" both of my kids. Her library...most of the books I've read the past couple years are at her recommendation (I've never known a more voracious reader). Her kids are some of my all-time favorites (and I have known and loved a LOT of kids!) She's someone I can trust 100%. She's so laid back about all the right things. She is über accomplished in countless areas I am sorely lacking in (eg: house-keeping, decorating, self-discipline, fitness...Shelah is a runner. She'll put in 22 miles before I wake up in the morning.). She's an amazing writer. She has a wonderful way of looking at and describing life. She's a great teacher and super-organized. A harder worker would be hard to come by, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a more generous friend. Someday, when we have schedules that permit it, she and her husband are the kind of couple Doc and I could actually hang out with and I think the guys would even enjoy it! Since we don't have family super close (ie, close enough to be helpful on school days), having her family here is as great a tender mercy of the Lord as we could have ever asked for. ♥