A Happy Heart: My Friend Belinda

I've been thinking about certain people in my life who make my heart happy.

And I thought I would highlight some of them, mainly for the chance to document the impact they've had on my life.

Today I thought I'd share something about my friend Belinda.

This is her.

She is a wonderful mother, and a beautiful grandma.

She lives far away in Washington,
which DOES NOT make my heart happy.

Why DOES she make my heart happy? For many reasons.

Belinda is a friend who knows what it means to be a friend. 

She doesn't just talk the talk, but she walks the walk. 

And her walk is amazing! :)

There are many things that have anchored Belinda in my heart. From the first day I met her, she was full of questions in an effort to get to know me, but also in an effort to make me feel loved and welcome. She always seemed interested in my life, but the more I got to know her, I realized that she showed this interest to everyone. She knows how to make you feel loved, and she is willing to go out of her way to do so.

The most tender memories I have of Belinda are linked to the period of time when I went through my divorce. To say that period of time was difficult is an understatement. It was such a private pain that I went through, so I didn't want to talk to just anyone about it. But, because Belinda had made such a consistent effort to be a friend, she was one of very few I found safe to confide in. 

As a friend, she went above and beyond. It's moments like that when we see the true colors of those around us.
And her true colors were beautiful.

This weekend I heard a leader in my church say this:
"If you come upon a person who is drowning, would you ask if he needs help, or would it be better to just jump in and save him from the deepening waters? The offer, whilst well-meaning and often given, 'let me know if I can help' is really no help at all." - Ronald A. Rasband

And that is what Belinda did for me. She didn't ask. She just did it. She knew I would not ask for help, yet she knew that there were days that I was treading water just trying to survive. And she jumped in on a regular basis and saved me. She visited me, she took care of Keely, she sat (sometimes for long periods of time) and just listened, she held me and let me cry without having all the 'right' answers, she built me back up, she told me on a regular basis that I was strong enough to get through it and cheered me on as I tried. And sometimes in the middle of the tears, she somehow even managed to make me laugh.

She did more than offer help. She gave it.

So, although that was a very painful period of my life, it was touched by love and kindness in powerful ways.
Belinda is an example of the word 'charity'.
She saw a need, and she found a way to help.

Belinda makes my heart happy.
She has made my heart happy from the first day I met her.
And even though she is far away now, the very thought of her brings feelings of happiness and peace.

Thank you Belinda.
I haven't said that in a long time,
but I always feel it when I think of you.