Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Thankful Thursday - Special Friendship



This week's theme over at Thankful Thursday is a subject near and dear to my heart. Special Friendship. 
I'd like to honor my sister-in-love, Cora. She's more than a sister-in-law, she's a true sister of the heart. She is one of the most generous giving people that I know.
She married my husband's brother over 25 years ago, but we really became fast friends about 22 years ago, when my first child and her last child were born. Our babies were born 3 months apart. We found out that we had a lot in common and began a real friendship then.
It was so much fun raising our babies together. We spent a lot of time on the phone comparing notes. We carpooled to town once a week to do our grocery shopping and ended up spending the whole day together. Many times we'd cook supper together and our hubbies would come from work to eat and then watch movies.
As time went on, we got involved in crafts. Then Cora (who admits she is slightly obsessive) would go crazy buying supplies for whatever craft we were involved in and then share her bounty with me. We would plan a "Craft Day" once a week, usually at my house, and craft, talk, and eat all day!
My girls would love it when Aunt Cora came over. They loved to look at all her craft supplies! (Okay, we're all slightly obsessive.)
Besides all the fun times we had together, she is a friend who sticks with you during the bad times. My husband struggles with bipolar disorder, and over the years has had to miss a lot of work. Naturally, that made our budget very tight. Cora was always there to help in any way she could. Many, many times she helped me with true generosity of spirit.
The time that sticks out in my mind, though, is one year when Easter time was approaching. By that time, we were a family of five. Cora was determined that all of us would have new Easter outfits-Her family AND mine! We went shopping and she footed the bill. I'll never forget it.
Besides all the times she shared material possessions with me, she also prayed for me. I don't know how I would have made it through the early years of my husband's illness and subsequent disability without her.
So to my sister of the heart, Cora, I want to commend you and say, just like it was said of the Proverbs 31 woman:

"Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly,
and well
[with the strength of character
that is steadfast in goodness], but YOU excel them all."
Proverbs 31:29

16 comments:

  1. What a nice TT post and a wonderful tribute to your friend/sister in law. Good godly women in our lives are a true blessing. -Blessings, Laurie

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  2. Such a sweet tribute, be blessed.

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  3. Oh Jerri,

    I hope I get to meet Cora one day. Be sure to introduce me in heaven. Wonderful and honoring post. Thank you. I enjoyed every word.

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  4. First.. I love the name Cora. It reminds me of my great grandmother. She was so fiesty and full of fun.

    I enjoyed this very much. Happy Thursday!!

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  5. Thank you for sharing such wonderful and touching post.

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  6. that is so sweet, jerri. God bless you. ♥

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  7. This is my first time on thankful Thursday. I very much enjoyed your wonderful tribute. You should post it on more than a friend too. I have a link to it on my post
    Be blessed
    Grammy

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  8. What a beautiful, heartfelt and loving post to your sister!

    Thanks for letting us share in your joy of having the blessing of her in your life!

    In His amazing grace,
    Jill

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  9. What a tribute to a very special woman in your life. Yes, God knows what He is doing when He places certain women in our lives.

    Thank you so much for sharing your grateful heart with us.

    Blessings to you and your precious family.

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  10. Wonderful tribute to an angel here on earth! She is such a blessing, just as I'm sure, you are to her. Happy Thankful Thursday!

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  11. A beautiful tribute to Cora. I'm so thankful God has blessed your life with such a dear person.

    Happy Thankful Thursday!

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  12. God bless you and your sweet sister-in-love.

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  13. Oh what a sweet friend/sister in love you have in Cora.
    Thanks for sharing her with us.
    If you come back over to My Journey and grab the More than a Friend button and post the song I'll add your name again to the drawing.
    Many Blessings to you and your family.
    Sherry

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  14. Cora sounds like a wonderful friend, person and sister-in-law! Thanks so much for sharing.

    Renee'
    http://rmboys2.wordpress.com/

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  15. I am very humbled by your words. I love you Jerri. You have shown me the way to be a virtuous woman. May God always bless you as you bless others. All my love, Cora

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