This would slip my mind for months and every time it circled back, I would try again with no success. The more time went by the more concerned I became. In some of our last correspondence, (at least two years back if not longer), she had told me of her dear husband’s passing. I knew she had been his caretaker and the last years had been very hard. I really wanted to check in on her and see how she was going. One day a few weeks ago I ran across an email from her while looking for something else in my files! (Won’t God do it?!) At the bottom was a phone number. When I took a chance and called it, I got a voice mail, one of those default messages. I didn’t know if I was calling the right person, but I left a message saying something to the effect of, “Hi, I’m Shellie Tomlinson, I’m looking for an old friend named _______________. I love her and I’m concerned about not hearing from her.”  

What follows is the email I got from my friend. I’m sharing it here to ask you to help me do something fantastic. Would you hit the comment button and leave her a short message. Maybe you could introduce yourself and tell her where you’re writing from? Maybe you could type out a short prayer? Perhaps you only have time to say, “Hello, Shellie’s special friend. God loves you!”  Anything you do will be appreciated. I’ve wracked my brain to figure out how to bless Mrs. __________ without using her name or email address. The world is crazy and I wouldn’t want to bring anything harmful to her door. I simply want one sweet widowed friend who admits to a little loneliness to hear from people who care. 

Here’s my friend’s email to me, edited for brevity and privacy:

Shellie! It IS me, I mean “I”. It’s US! I thought I’d lost you, having been through two laptops since we last communicated! I’ll tell you what, I dare anybody to tell me there is no God. He’s answered a lot of prayers for me, but I’ve prayed that he would have you contact me ONE DAY. Glen Campbell once said, “God may be late by our time, but He is always ON time.” I understood it perfectly. 

I’ve kept playing your message over and over, and when I closed my eyes tonight to pray, which always includes “thank yous” I heard your Louisiana accent. I’m so excited, I’m shaking. I kept replaying your words, “I think about you and I love you.” Me, too, Me, too, Shellie!” I hollered out. I still tend to forget I live alone, “Don’t anybody touch this recording until I can re-record it. (Huh?)

I’m ordering one of your books…I forget which one, but it seemed to be your favorite. I thrive on books where I can glean reassuring, strengthening words. What on earth do people do who don’t take their daily walk with Jesus? I think I have a book about every emotion I’ve been through these past several years. Did I ever ask if you’d read my sweet husband’s obituary? I turned it in two hrs. before the deadline. (I didn’t know that; I kept getting different times, depending on who I contacted.)  The grammar, the syntax….it was all a train wreck. I was also frustrated because the newspaper cut me off at so many words… I had so much to say, so few characters. I ended up focusing on his career. I was always so proud of him. Didn’t get a chance to speak of the Godly husband, father and grandpaw he was. His full name is ___________. Google his obituary. It should take you right to it. My husband had a full military service, so that was an emotional moment, especially when that folded flag was handed to me.   

My life is busy enough….staying home IS my vacation. Yes, it does get lonely around supper-time, when porch lights go on around the neighborhood., but Shellie, my precious friend, I remember when Betty White was asked after her husband’s passing and if she planned to remarry. She laughed and said, “When you’ve had the best, why settle for any of the rest.” I type fast. I did not mean to monopolize the conversation. YOU talk next time! 

I always thank God for getting me through another day, even when I had Covid, but tonight I’ll be thanking him ’til I fall asleep. Your phone call was truly a blessing!

In His sweet Name,
Love from ME!