This is the very first Community card I made, for my dear friend Lynne.  We met in the second grade which was (GULP!) 43 years ago!!!  When we were in sixth grade, her family moved to California and that is where she has lived ever since.  Our friendship has lasted all this time, even though it has been long distance, and we both feel grateful and blessed for this gift.  We have seen each other several times across the years, but mostly we have maintained our friendship via phone calls, letters, and emails. About ten years ago, Lynne was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.  She has continued to remain active and has been taking classes slowly but surely for a degree in Ministry.  However, this fall/winter she is taking some time off to focus on healing, and guess what?  She is coming to Massachusetts to stay with Jeff and I and Sasha and Minnie for three months!  We are both looking forward to this time of renewing our friendship.

I made this card to honor Lynne about a year ago, and I share it with you now.  But I have a feeling that while she is here, I will be making a card that honors our friendship, and perhaps another card to honor her as I come to know her better during her stay with us.

Who are you? I am the one who is your oldest friend.  I am the one who was your best friend.  I am the one who moved to California when we were in the sixth grade.  I am the one who is loyal and kind and fun.  I am the musician,the student, the healer, the nurse.  I am the one who loves and craves the outdoors.  I am the one who craves family and companionship.  I am the one whose main operating system is driven by faith. What do you have to give me? I give you the loyalty of a best friend.  I give you my prayers and my intentions for a good life.  I give you blessings and a reminder that nature is where we feel closest to God. What do you want from me? I want you to honor our friendship, to listen, to share your journey with me.

This is my dear friend Elaine, who I met when trying to put together a Joy Group (via Suzanne Falter-Barns). The Joy Group fizzled, but our friendship did not!  If you’re going to the KaleidoSoul SoulCollage^® Summer Retreat in August, you will meet her there! Who are you? I am the one who loves nature.  I am the one who needs to be outside in nature or a part of my soul is missing.  I am the one who has a big wide heart, who knows how to love, who loves with passion and awareness.  I am the one who loves to have fun, to play, to take risks.  I am the one who is striving for balance, who is ready to spread my wings and soar.  I am the one with the passion of fire, and the soothing healing qualities of water.  I am the one who is blossoming and soaring on my new inner and outer journeys.  I am the one with big, beautiful dreams.

What do you have to give me? I give you a boundless, loving friendship, as wide as my smile.  I give you a hand to hold and a companion for your own journey.  I give you guidance and light and a reflection back to you of your own beautiful self.

What do you want from me? I want you to be my friend, to walk beside me on the journey, to help me up when I fall.  And I will do the same for you.

I made this card to honor my niece Allison (now 30 years old!) who is getting married this weekend! Who are you? I am the one who has been on a long journey.  I am the one who hugs the world to me, who loves cats, the Goddess, and all things mystical.  I am the one who finds joy in life, who has the wings to fly.  I am the one with my toes in the water, who is a goddess, who has been looked after every step of the way.  I am the one full of sweet green growth.

What do you have to give me? I give you my hugs and my smiles.  I give you a sense of fun and adventure.  I give you the feeling of flight and transformation in that flight. What do you want from me? I want you to stay in touch with family and friends.  I want you to know that life is for living and laughing and loving and doing what makes you happy.