Saturday morning in the quiet and the dark of pre-dawn, Herself loaded a few things into her car and went to visit Cherished Friend. The drive north was a magnificent expanse of Alone Time (such a rare commodity these days), in which she could listen to whatever music she desired and sing along as loudly as she wanted, without fear of annoying any passengers (or or of criticism of her eclectic and occasionally pop-music driven playlists). The hotel in which she stayed was agreeable, the pillows fluffy, her solitary night's sleep lacking any trampling by Tiny Dog. Sunday afternoon, as the sun faded from cheerful afternoon glow into solemn dusk, Herself drove home. She was greeted warmly by Beloved Husband, Tiny Dog, and Three-toothed Dog, and all was well.
And what of the time with Cherished Friend? It is difficult to find words to describe the contentment of doing even the most ordinary of activities -- having lunch, visiting a bookstore, taking a walk, or just sitting in silence -- together. Suffice it to say, it was consolation and joy to find that he remains our same Cherished Friend, as always.
But oh! the blessing it is to have a friend to whom one can speak fearlessly on any subject; with whom one’s deepest as well as one’s most foolish thoughts come out simply and safely. Oh, the comfort — the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person — having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away. ~ Dinah Craik, A Life for a Life, 1859
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