Dinner Bell

Chris took me to the Dinner Bell in Sweetwater for supper.  Yum!

I cleaned my plate.

Chris loves their chili.

Had some home made cake for dessert.

We Going?

Can't leave a hooked up hay trailer sitting.  The kids think they are going somewhere.   They've been on there for two hours.  

She's my......

friend...........

Eating at Planet Hollywood in Seattle. 2000.

The two photos of Darlene and I were taken in Seattle, WA in 2000.  I have cork boards in my closet and hang a few photos of family and close friends on them.  Yes, I know, that is kinda teenager'ish.  But I like it.  The photos are of happy times and put a smile on my face at the times I pause to look at a few before starting my day.  

Darlene and I grew up in Corntassel/Hopewell, and are somehow cousins.  Not sure 4th or 5th or ???  But I love to tell people she is my friend AND cousin.

Darlene went to Vonore to school and I to Madisonville.  But we attended Hopewell Springs Missionary Baptist Church together.  We were friends in childhood.  Not the tightest but friends.  

Grown up and out of college for a few years I was blessed.  Blessed to have Darlene become a co-worker.  She sat at a desk directly across from me.  We weren't in the office much.  Mostly late afternoons.  One thing we did was travel.  Once a year our job had national training conferences.  At many of those we were presenters of programs we created.  

Darlene and I traveled to San Diego (what a story we have there), Orlando, Seattle, and I'm not sure where else.  That may be it.  

We know how to hit a town.  Geez.  She would wear me flat out!  During our conferences, in between teaching and attending class, there wasn't much time to visit/see the surrounding sites.  I remember in Orlando.  Wow, I've NEVER been so tired at the end of a day.  Darlene and I went to DisneyWorld, Epcot and MGM in ONE DAY!  One day was all we had and we used it.

In San Diego we went to Sea World, Disneyland (where some girls she had went on a mission trip with worked), California Dreaming,  and San Diego Zoo in one day.  Or maybe it was one and a half.  I don't remember.  Whirlwind trip!  Tired that day too.  But not as tired as Orlando.  

Seattle was great.  Darlene had more friends in Seattle she had gone with on mission trips.  The husband worked for Microsoft.  Her friends visited with us for dinner.  The biggest things in Seattle were eating at Planet Hollywood. visiting the Farmer's Market-wow, a dinner train, walking to the pier to eat at Red Robin twice (better than the now-a-days chain), a ferry ride with Darlene's friend to an island (late in the day so all the shops were closed.  That was a little disappointing.) and the Space Needle.  Not much time in Seattle either and we crammed all the sites in a day and a half.  I would have LOVED to see the outdoors around Seattle.

Darlene and I have came into and out of each other's lives all of our lives at different times - as far as times we get to spend actually time together.  There may be a year or so go by and we don't really get together to do anything.  Just talk in passing or get together for a trip to her favorite place to eat-The OG.  It was easier when we worked together, as far as time.    

The most important thing about Darlene?  I've never had or known of a friend like her.  And probably don't have a friend I neglect more but most depend on when I am in need.  I feel I use her.  But Darlene says that's what real friends are for.  I believe Darlene sees friendship as forever and never changing.  That maybe we don't have to see or speak to each other every day or every week or every month or so on in order to pick up where we left off and to continue to love one another.

I remember at one of tough situations i was dealing with calling Darlene about twelve at night or so.  I hadn't talked to Darlene in a long time.  I can't even remember how long it had been.  Maybe a year?  I called her and she came to me.  No hesitation.  "Where are you? I'll be there in about 30 minutes."  And she was.  And without her that night and the next few would have been so hard.

Coming to my aid isn't what makes her so special.  I'm really so blessed with many friends who will drop things to come talk when I call. Darlene is different.  Darlene is a devout Christian.  We have many or similar views on life, love, family, achieving happiness, the purpose of life, religion, God, Grace, Salvation, and on and on.  She is much more than a friend who'll come over and listen and give their two cents in.  Always two cents that are one sided-siding with you.  (Sometimes you need that too.) Darlene is truthful.  Faith truthful.  She is a rock of faith.  Darlene is the type of friend who is there for you at any, any hour, any, any day, any, any situation.  And not only is she there for you she is able to help you see how things are.  How things are supposed to be in God's plan.  Darlene's council is priceless.  What she pours out is council.  Wise council.  Not opinions, not theories, not words to calm, not words to provoke, not words to stroke an ego.  

I love her.  I wish we saw each other more than those times I call her when I'm in need.  Darlene is one of the very, very few people I'll not say "I'm fine" too.  Maybe the only one I'll say that too and then follow with the whole truth of the situation.  I trust her.  She is a great confident. And once again wise council.  Never one to tell you what you should do.  Never one to judge anything about the situation.  At all.  Just one to help talk through what is going on and discuss how God fits into the equation.  Not one to build you up personally about how you are going to fix your own issues.  Darlene builds up the fact that I need God to get through any situation I may find myself in.

 Ferry ride in Seattle. 2000.

Everyone needs a "Darlene" in their lives.  The world would be a better place........I hope you have at least one like her.  Truthfully God has blessed me with so many great friends and family.  I'm very lucky

I love you Darlene.
Thank you for being my friend.