When I was a newbie on ActiveRain 4 years ago this March 30th, I received a comment from a newer member in Hawaii. With each post she would comment and I went to her blog and was simply amazed at the photos she had taken of Hawaii and suggested that she could easily work for Department of Tourism. She also had a great sense of humor and we had fun with the our comments.
Months would pass of just commenting on each other's posts and that October, the area where I lived would have major wild fires and I had to evacuate my home. After moving the puppies to what I think was the last available hotel room I could find some 20 miles away, that evening I would receive a call checking to see if I was OK.
What was so remarkable were the numbers of friends I had made on ActiveRain that called me from early in the morning when the news of the fires had spread. I even received a call from ActiveRain itself ( Bob Stewart ) checking in on me. Having forgotten to pack a few things, I made my way to the drug store to pick up a few things and my cell phone rang. It was Celeste "Sally"Cheeseman. We had such a great time on the phone on what would be the first of many many phone calls as we just hit it off and a real friendship was born.
Last night as I was watching a news, there was an News Alert that Hawaii was going to be hit with a Tsunami after the horrific Earthquake and Tsunami that hit Japan. It was time to call Sally and make sure that she and her family were OK and that they knew about what was heading there way in Hawaii. They were fine and live in the higher elevations thankfully and while I was on the phone, she let me listen to the alarms going off advising people to the ensuing Tsunami expected within 5 hours. As I was about to hang up, I realized that it was with in a few days coming up on the four years that we have been friends here in the rain. I stopped saying good-bye long enough to say it was deja vu from 4 years earlier as we check on each other to be sure we are safe.
About the photo: A few years ago Sally and I exchanged gifts at Christmas. It was not intended that we do this but that first year I had recalled she collected Faeries and I found one that was perfect for her collection. Now whenever I see them, I associate them with her and wherever I travel I am always on the lookout and even if I don't find any, thinking about them keeps her and her family in my thoughts. By the way, this Faerie actually looks a bit like Sally.
Friendship comes in many degrees in our lives but the important thing is that we have them in our lives to share the many treasures of our own lives and grow fonder of each other through the years. And for me, Sally and Gary are those special kinds of friends that always seem to make our lives richer for having them in it and they are certainly treasured by me. So here is a toast to you, Sally and Gary and may your lives always be blessed with great happiness and may our friendship endure for all of our lives.
Life is better when there are flowers in the garden!
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