Thursday, November 29, 2012

A treasure of my heart





As many of my readers know my blog

is a sharing of my decorating passions

 and a sharing of my heart...



Twenty years ago

I stood in church sharing a testimony

of my faith and out in the crowd

there was a beautiful woman

with tears smiling at me.

Afterward she came and gave me the warmest

hug and shared that she wanted

to be my friend.





When I think of the word friend

I realize many have a different perception

of the true meaning of friendship.

1993 began the journey

that my dearest Camilla and I would

see through together.

Only the good Lord knew what we

would become to each other.





We were wives and mothers raising our

young children while sharing joys and sorrows.

I loved that we had that common thread of

rescuing a curbside find and restoring life

back into it. Before long we began doing

the same for the other ones soul.

She mentored me through

a bible study and

our bond grew even more.

All of this was

the preparation for what was to become.





Life happened and the waters

were choppy and then they were treacherous.

Cami became my life line and I hers

as we lived through the waves thrashing us about.

Our spiritual armor was going through the war

week after week month after month.

She coined the phrase that I use

" dog paddling " to stay above water.

We woke at 5:30 am everyday and phoned

the other and prayed for each other.




One day we happened upon this

tiny book " Faithful Friends ".

As life would lead us

there we were marking the pages with

flower petals in certain places

then passing it back and forth between us.

In our hearts we knew when it

was time to give it back to the other.




All of the petals still remain

in this three inch book of love

that is our treasure.

Cami even began calling me

every Thanksgiving morning

and we sing together over the phone.

" This is the day that the Lord has made "

My oldest who is twenty five had remarked to

me the other day " I can't believe you two still

sing that on Thanksgiving." He remembered that from

his childhood days.





Over the years death came, divorce came

along with much heartache and pain, yet

she still remained faithful and when sickness

came to me she was my warrior

of prayer and strength.





Cami teases me till this day

she says " I'm all show and no go "

held together with chewing gum and paper clips

referring to the break down of my body

through years of battling this illness.

We laugh so much over that.



A few months ago at her father's memorial service

Cami placed the Faithful Friends book in my hand

when I arrived and we tearfully embraced.







This past week

I read each page and shed many tears.

We have seen each other through the

worst times of our lives during which

a few we were unable to be a great friend

to the other. There was pain and with that

 followed periods of silence.

During that silence there was growth

and a renewed spirit that bloomed

in each of us.

I thanked God this week

over and over again that He

chose us to be these Faithful Friends.


The commitment that is honored,

the grace that is given.

That neither of us suffer the other

over the past hurts. We rejoice

in the love that stands firm.

What a rare beauty to find someone who can love

you even when you are not

at your best and still treasure you

within their heart.




Camilla you are the most amazing

and beautiful woman I am truly

blessed beyond words.

 I thank the Lord

for His gift of our Faithful Friendship

I love you and thank you

for your perserverance

and steadfast love.




Linking up with my favorite gals



Stop by later this week

for a lovely holiday giveaway!

Much love to each of you...

40 comments:

Julie Marie said...

So beautiful Kate... how blessed you are to have each other and a friendship that withstands the test of time... I wish I had a Camilla in my life... she sounds like an angel here on earth... beautiful little book and post... much love and many blessings to you... thank you as always for sharing what is in your heart... xoxo Julie Marie

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

A friendship like that is truly a blessing!

Unknown said...

What a beautiful, beautiful post Kate - I have one in my drafts to post on friendships too - they're soul saving and life would be incomplete without them.
Thanks for sharing
Hugs,
Suzan

Annie Louise said...

You and Camilla are truly a blessing to each other, through thick and thin always together -- wonderful, simply wonderful. Thank you for sharing this wonderful post Kate. Blessings to you and Camilla.
Jeanette

Burlap Luxe said...

Kate this made me choke up and tear, for I too have my own Cami who calls morning after morning 6:00 AM and we too talk. pray, cry, and laugh :)
You my friend have lots of Cami's out there namely (Me) who feel a special closeness to your heart, your beautiful words touch us in ways you can not imagin :)

Thank you for this post, much needed tonight.

Blessings to you and your dear friend.
xox
Dore

At The Picket Fence said...

What an incredible tribute to your wonderful friend! Those soul-to-soul relationships aren't easy to come by and when you have one you hold onto it through thick and thin. Thank you for sharing this with us Kate! :-)
Vanessa
P.S. Off to send out a text to my "Cami"!

Burlap Luxe said...

Oooop's got wrapped up in the moment, I forgot to mention those doors, that setting, those vignettes, and the beauty all around you is simply divine all wrapped up in gray, white and naturals a soulful place to just plain love!

Its so pretty Kate, I adore and love your style, I too am still looking for large doors, beacuse I am a copy-cat of your coolness over here. :)

xox
Dore

Sherry Hicks said...

Kate this is so beautiful I read this twice amazingly beautiful and faithful friendship you have I was touched to read this thanks for sharing your awesome Camille!
Sherry

Anonymous said...

Kate what a beautiful tribute to Cami and a wonderful testimony of the bonds we have with our kindred spirit sisters in Christ. I have been so very blessed with several Cami's in my life and lately, after hearing from women around me how they are so lonely and have never had a true friend, it humbles me that I have been so very blessed.

bee blessed
mary

Jeanette said...

What a beautiful and truly amazing friendship you have. You are both blessed to have each other in your lives. Beautiful Women Blessed by God!

Kristin @ Yellow Bliss Road said...

What a beautiful friendship you and Cam have.

You are an amazing woman Kate. I have learned so incredibly much from you, about love, about forgiveness, and about true honest to God friendship. Even though I've heard the thorns and roses of this story, you have such a way of retelling the joys of your heart in such a profound way. I need to remind myself daily, even now, that through my own thorny path, my beautiful rose was you. And that makes even the darkest times worth it.

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

What a glorious post, Kate. You're a blessing to each other. A true friend is definitely something to be thankful for. I've met so many kindred spirits in blogland, like yourself, who brighten my day. I'm thankful for that.

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

What a lovely tribute to friendship and your dear friend...such a blessing...

Cam said...

My Kathryn, my heart, my joy, my lifeline, my tether. You captured it, with your beautiful artistry and soothing words filled with grace... our story, our song, our treasure. Through the years of wrenching pain and howling laughter, God was weaving together the tapestries of our lives. What an amazing journey it has been, and how incredibly blessed I am to have you as my dearest friend. All these years... so incredibly blessed. With tears streaming, my cup runneth over. I love you... to the moon and back.

Kristen Whitby said...

Kate, you are such a dear person. What a sweet glimpse into your lovely heart. Thank you for sharing such a tender story with us.

middle child said...

What a beautiful post. You are blessed to have such a friendship.

It's me said...

Wowwww...tears rolling over my cheeks...what a beautiful post !!...it is so good to have a friend in life where you shared all with !!...i have also one....my dearest Rolanda...who call me when my mother died....and ask....shall i help you .....she helps me washing my mom...and we put her most beautiful cloths on...when you share such a moment with a friend....she must be so special for you....best friend ever......i call it angels...sending from God........and we both heve one....we are lucky woman......you and me.....thanks for sharing this with us....by the way...my neighbour called Camilla.....she is so sweetie to me too....xxx...have a nice day...filled with love and blessings...xxx

Laura @ duke manor farm said...

what beautiful and heartfelt words to describe your gift of friendship.

http://www.pattern-addiction-and-more.blogspot.com said...

Everything, just wonderful! Love, Barbara

trash talk said...

As a wonderful friend once said to me, I'll say to you now...this was like seeing, hearing, and reading a beating heart.
XO
Deb

Anne said...

Beautiful Kate! What a blessing your friendship is!Thank you so much for sharing! Have a wonderful day!
xx
Anne

Unknown said...

What a wonderful and beautiful tribute to your sweet friend.

Ido said...

What a beautiful friendship story! Thank you for sharing it with us!
Have a wonderful day!
XXXX Ido

CURIOUS said...

Kate . . . The Boys Love You Too !! BIG HUGS from TEXAS !! JOE & GLENN

"Create Beauty" said...

simply beautiful


God's Gift of you to each other...
Divine!

~ Violet

stefanie said...

oh!!! that was the most beautiful thing I have ever read!!!!!!

Amy Kinser said...

Oh how you have blessed my heart with that story. Not only do I want a Cami but I want to be a Cami to someone. The friendship you described can only be a God ordained friendship. I know you are a wonderful friend to her as well, Kate. It sounds like you two were certainly created to be friends.

Thank you for speaking directly to my heart today.

The French Hen's Nest said...

You are truly blessed to have each other. My sisters are my best friends, don't know what I would do without them. Whate a lovely tribute to your friend. Jeannie

chateau chic said...

Friends like Camilla are truly a treasure!!
Mary Alice

Verbena nested treasures said...

you have the most beautiful taste & blog. beautiful post glad I stopped by. xo Laura

Sherry at The Rusty Pearl said...

This is so beautiful and she is beyond blessed to be your friend... YOUR so inspiring and just beautiful inside and out. LOVED this post.. it is one of those you will think about while driving or talking to your best friends....... Thank you

Kelly said...

What a wonderful tribute to your dear friend. Those kinds of friends are hard to come by. I'm sure your life is blessed beyond most to have someone like her in your life. Btw, I loved that swiss cross pillow you featured, so I ordered one! Beautiful pics!

WhiteWhispers2u said...

Simply inspiring in many ways as always~Blessings Kim xox

pballard said...

Beautiful post..

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful story Kate. You are truly both so fortunate to have one another!! It is a rare thing to have a friend like you both have in each other.
Your home is looking so beautiful my friend!!! I can't wait to see more photos!
Wishing you a lovely day.
Sincerely,
Melinda

Unknown said...

What a moving tribute to friendship-thank you.

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Kate, what a loving post. God sent Camilla to you and you to Camilla. I have a dear Camilla but her name is Joyce. She is the one who has had trial after trial. I try to be there for her. She has been battling breast cancer for over two years. Finally after beating it and being told she is 'cancer free' or husband took her life. Sometimes I ask, "Lord, how much more can she bare?" She has been so strong through it all. I think of you often and how strong you are battling your illness. You are an amazing woman like my friend Joyce. Thanks so much for sharing this with Share Your Cup. Both words and pictures of your beautiful holiday decor were wonderful!
Hugs,
Jann

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Kate, just realized I wrote her life instead of his. Sorry, hope this makes more sense.

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Loved reading this story Kate, so heart warming!

Steve Smith said...

You are an amazing woman Kate. I have learned so incredibly much from you, about love, about forgiveness, and about true honest to God friendship. Even though I've heard the thorns and roses of this story

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