The Kindness of Friendship Lives On

"We call that person who has lost his father, an orphan; and a widower that man who has lost his wife.  But that man who has known the immense unhappiness of losing a friend, by what name do we call him?  Here every language is silent and holds its peace in impotence."
― Joseph Roux 

At a wedding I attended this weekend, there was someone missing -- the mother of the bride's best friend.  She died seven years ago, unexpectedly and way too soon. 

 

As I observed the wedding preparations, I was in awe of how this special friend was lovingly remembered.  Although no one could take the place of this friend, the mother of the bride's other close friends stepped in to support her and help her.  There was strength is this solidarity of girlfriends, which also served as a tribute to their friend.  At one of the pre-wedding celebrations, the mother of the bride gave a piece of jewelry that had belonged to her friend to her daughter, the bride.  At the wedding, which was in a beautiful outdoor location by the water, photos of relatives who had passed were hung on string around the bark of a big tree.  In a prominent place was a photo of this friend, who had earned "aunt" status, with the bride.  The matron of honor, the bride's sister-in-law, talked about the inspiration of that special friendship during her toast.  And "You've Got A Friend" was played as it was a favorite song of the mother of the bride and her dear friend. 

 

Before the wedding and during it, there were many conversations about the importance of women's friendships, and the friendship between the mother of the bride and the woman who had passed was the example cited.  The many kindnesses that were part of that friendship live on and those memories inspire more kindness.