I've been blessed to have an abundance of these kinds of people in my life. Though it is after Christmas, one of the best gifts I received this year was another friend.
In the few short hours she was in my humble home, she added several pocketfuls of miracles to the abundant number the Lord has bestowed upon my family this year. Within fifteen minutes of meeting her, I knew she would affect my life for good because she is the kind of person that makes me want to be better.
I'll set up a brief background; Her family comes from Los Angeles - north side. Okay, already some people's heads are swimming with all the negative things we've all heard about L.A. However, this family is different. I had previously met her multi-talented artistic daughter and now I can understand one of the reasons she is so awesome. They've created their own safety net through their faith. It doesn't mean things are perfect, just that they have developed and implemented a better coping mechanism.
Who is this paragon?
Because she is so tender-hearted and modest, I will simply refer to my new friend as K.A. She isn't the kind of person that enjoys the limelight, but basks in the glory of her love for others...privately. She is feminine, what people now refer to as a "girly-girl". She actually owns a pink cell phone, bought a pair of houndstooth-pattern gloves, and is delighted to serve in her local LDS church's nursery (a Sunday School class full of 18 month to 2 year olds). This woman blooms where she is planted - she reminds me of what one of the speakers said in General Conference: "Whatever comes and love it!"
You do not have to know some people very long before you just know certain things about them. I pause for a moment to give her my ultimate compliment: she knows how to love well. In her company, I realized that she is a master when it comes to being a lady - soft spoken, full of light, brimming with hope. She was not focused on negative issues in her life (in fact, she didn't mention any). Physically, she reminds me of a taller version of my sister and personality wise, she has many similarities to one of my sisters-in-law. Still, she is her own sweet self and has contributed to my garden of friendship.
As we visited she spoke kind words - encouraging, full of love, hope, and optimism. In a world where words are used to degrade and abraid one another, her beauty becomes that much more apparent. It goes soul deep; in part because her words are used to build and refresh not slice and dice.
The glow in her face is a reflection of her faith and love for her family. She is quick to compliment and to enjoy the moment. She doesn't walk on water, but I know that she is constitutionally incapable of evil. See what I mean about knowing her, though I just met her? So far, I've only been granted a peek at the deep rivers that lie beneath the calm and consider myself blessed.
Maybe, if I'm very lucky, I will be able to graduate to being her friend and some of her awesomeness will rub off on me and people that know me will feel as blessed to know me as I feel to know her.
I am RICH! I have a huge bouquet of choice souls for friends. God is SO good!
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