| Psalm 27:9 – “A sweet friendship refreshes the soul.” |
I met Karen H over 50 years ago at church camp in Iowa. She was a few years older than me, but I liked her a lot. I spent time with her each summer until I moved away at age 20. We came in contact again several years later after I moved back to the area and her father became the pastor of my church. Both young single mothers, we developed a rich and strong friendship. Her son and my daughter were true besties, and since their birthdays were within a week of each other, we often had joint parties. A few years later I moved to Oklahoma, and she got remarried, but we stayed in touch and remained friends. She did not have a sister, so selected me to be an honorary one; a position I gladly accepted. Karen was always very strong in her faith and was often a great encourager to me. She was quick to praise and slow to find fault. She was always so supportive of my writings, and the first to ask when a new book would be finished. I can only pray that I was as good a friend to her as she was to me.
Friendship is a precious thing we should never take for granted. I found out yesterday that Karen passed away a few days ago after a sudden illness. My heart is crushed with grief, but yet it smiles at the fond memories of movies and pizza and watching Iowa Hawkeye basketball games together on TV. Her friendship truly refreshed my soul.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for friends here on earth – friends like Karen and others who have blessed me over the years with their kindness and prayers. I know that she is with you, God, reunited with her family and out of pain. Help me to be a friend to others and spread your love the way Karen did with me. Amen.
– Betty Gossell
