Tasty Tuesday….Friends are Friends Forever
Friends Forever
This month my dear friend who is pictured above will have been in Heaven for 3 years. Three years ago I was so excited. We had been in TX but had got orders to MD. My dear friend Julie lived in my hometown, which was only 6 hours away. We had hopes of getting together, having lunch, and rehashing the good old days of our youth.
I met Julie in high school, and thankfully we were able to stay in touch through the years. She married a Soldier and we both were Army wives. We had not been in MD but a few days when Julie suddenly passed away. She left behind 2 kids, her daughter Chesney and her 5 day old, newborn son Jhett. She also left behind her husband, her mom, her brother, grandparents and many others who loved Julie to no end.
I remember following friends who was in our hometown, waiting on word, praying when she became fatally ill that she would be ok. Crying when I got the news. I wanted more time, another chance. I wanted to talk about make up and clothing styles. I wanted to talk about our kids and see her with her newborn son. I wanted to just hear her laugh again. To sing again, Julie could sing like an angel! She used her talents for the Lord, singing in church for many years. She loved Jesus and I will be honest, she is one of the rare people whom I never heard anyone say anything bad about. She loved God, she loved life, she loved people…and they loved her back.
I drove home for her visitation, lines formed, hundreds and hundreds came. I talked with her Grandpa about her legacy, about her life, and just about her. He was so proud! I hugged her Mom and wished I could do something, anything to help. I saw lifelong friends…friends of hers who had not just lost a friend, they lost their sister. We had many walks down memory lane, while we hugged and cried.
So today I went and got the mail and in it this came…
A cookbook in Julie’s honor. With recipes from many of her friends and family. As I flipped through the pages, I cried. I take comfort in knowing that Julie is with her earthly Daddy and also God her Father, and I don’t question his will, but sometimes, sometimes I just wonder what if….
I know this post isn’t really about cooking, with the exception of the cookbook. However, I wanted to share it because that cookbook means so much to me. I was thrilled to get it today.
Remember as your cooking, baking, canning, or whatever you’re doing in the kitchen, do it with love. So many legacies can be passed down in our food and from our kitchen!
May God Bless you all!
In Christ,
Laura
