One Word and an Unexpected Outcome.

I find that the answers to personal hardships come most often unexpectedly and sometimes can be solved by just one word. In 1993, when my husband I married, I had no idea what it would be like to leave my small town in Washington State. I had lived there since I was in 1st grade and had never felt what it was like to be new. I made several friends right away and they were all with me as bridesmaids at my wedding fourteen years later. Pass fourteen more years, eight moves, four states and two countries later - I felt worn out, a bit out of sorts, and loathing being new - again.


This is where the unexpected part comes in; while I was shopping at an April Cornell outlet store, I found this pillow. When I saw the 75% off price tag I bought it and took it home to put on our living room couch. I thought it was a great deal and a wonderful way to make our guests feel at home. Every time I came into the room, I would consciously read the word. As I went through my day, I thought about my friends; about the friends I lost contact with, the friends I contact occasionally, and the friends I will make here in Montreal.


I felt a wave of peace fall over me and I knew that Heavenly Father understood all my worries. I began to see my situation differently. I understood the importance of friends, but more importantly that I was capable of being a friend. I knew I had to change my perspective regarding how many people would call me their friend to how many people can I befriend. There will always be someone who needs a friend more than I do and if I'm trapped in my own self-pity - I'll never be able to be that friend.


The Pillow of Friendship project:


This pillow and the wonderful web of ideas and inspiration the women on the blog networks have already created - gave me a great idea - the Pillow of Friendship project:

For every place I've lived and for every place I will live; I've made friends and been uplifted by others. Today, I start my goal to make one-hundred pillows with the word "friend" and send them to old friends, to people who are in need of friend, to family, inspirational teachers, great babysitters, and to people who have gone out of their way to be kind to me, my husband, and my girls.

I'm not a great seamstress - but I will be by the time I'm through! Would you like to join me? The first person on my list is my wonderful niece Abby! Not just because her birthday is coming up - but for her sweet smile, beautiful stories, and being the best little niece ever! Off I go - I'll post it when it's done!