20140510_3249We’ve been friends for a quarter of a century.

I babysat her children who are now adults.

She has been by my side through every tough chapter.

When life is hard, I know I can count on her to bring me back to a center place of peace.

Last night, I sat by her bed.

She is once again undergoing difficult chemo treatments and feeling very rough.

We laughed last night.

We talked about both big and little things.

We shared life, and it was good because life is just better when it is shared.

Face to face.

As we talked about life, Martha shared these beautiful words written by Mother Theresa with me.

Watching Martha reach for her journal and turn to the page on which she had written these profound words will be etched in my heart forever.

Martha lives these words.

I want to live them too.

People are often unreasonable and self-centered.

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives.

Be kind anyway.

If you are honest, people may cheat you.

Be honest anyway.

If you find happiness, people may be jealous.

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow.

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough.

Give your best anyway.

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God.

It was never between you and them anyway.

Mother Theresa

This morning, Martha has blood work and her journey to the hospital isn’t going to be easy.

Please say a prayer for her as you go about your day.

And as you encounter people today…………no matter how hard it may be,

love them anyway.