sunshine on a cloudy day.

Dear Annie,

Do you remember that day not so long ago {that you can read about here in case you forgot}, when we got in the car and drove for miles just to find the sunshine?  It had been dark and gray with crazy amounts of fog for days - and neither of us were enjoying it.  Calving season can do that to a person.  It's full of new life, but at the same time, it's life sucking, and ranch wives know it all too well.

We decided to go snowshoeing - praying that the warmth would soak into our bones and leave us with a radiating glow and extra amounts of happiness.  I remember laughing so hard about everything and anything as we started our trek up the hill in Meacham that we could barely walk without falling down. The sun was bright, the sky was blue, and there wasn't a sound except our laughter bouncing through the trees. We found the perfect spot to sit in the snow and rather than hiking, we just laid there in that clearing for an hour.

There wasn't much to say really.  We both live and breathe the slogan "behind every successful rancher is a wife who works in town" and do our best to maintain a sense of "grace" in all we say and do when it comes to our lives being lived well.

...................................

10 months later and I'm wishing for that day again.  That day when our "cattlemen" had practically begged us to go for that drive, just so we might smile at them again.  That day when we shared some dreams we had, along with a few fears.  That day when life seemed "normal" and finding sunshine was our only concern.

......................

I've cried buckets of tears for you over the past 24 hours.  I think all of your friends and family have.  I don't think, I know.
I've cried, and I've prayed, and I've begged God to whisper a hint of what I'm supposed to do now as your friend.
Your friend that wants to make all of this better.
Your friend that just wants Clayton back.
Your friend that isn't sure how to be helpful or what to say.
Your friend that knows she could of just as easily been the one finding the strength to hold onto her precious kids as she explained what happened to their dad.
Your friend that hopes sunshine will soon fill your heart and soul again.

You've been in my life for a reason, several seasons, and I know without a doubt, we're headed toward a lifetime.  I'm one of so many that is supporting you in any way I can.  I'm one of the hundreds that has been blessed by your smile, your unwavering faith, your optimism, and your strong beauty.  I'm one of your friends that needs you to know that we love you.

This new season of friendship that started yesterday afternoon ... well, it's not going to be easy or explainable or without tears, but it is going to be worth everything I've got, every tissue box ever made, and will probably include several pieces of chocolate too!

Praying for sunshine and a chance to lay in the snow again ~

Linds