A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be. ~Douglas Pagels
Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, "What, you too? I thought I was the only one!" -C.S. Lewis
Grace first met L at Camp Victory, her diabetes camp where she went for a week in August. L lives in the same state, but about 3 hours away from us. They each didn't know a soul at camp. They became quick friends, slept side by side in bunks for 6 days straight, and survived their first overnight, away-from-home, diabetes camp experience together.
It bonds two girls, I tell ya.
They have been penpals since camp in August. They have sent each other Christmas presents and talked on the phone. And they have been missing each other since the day they said goodbye to each other in August.
L's mom called me about a week ago and said she'd like to bring L down, stay in a hotel just outside Philly, and let the girls hang out for a day or two. Grace was beyond excited. HER L coming to visit??!!!
Well, it happened. We just said goodbye to them at the hotel and they are headed home. Can I tell you what this visit with L meant for Grace? What it did for each of them? What it did for us as Mamas to two 8 year old girls with diabetes?
It made lifelong friends out of all of us.
They screamed when they saw each other again. Grace brought her camp photos and they pointed to each one - 'Remember this? remember that? who was this again? oh that was fun!'
They fell right back into place.
'You look the same! You got your hair cut! I like your earrings'
I bought the girls shirts that said 'Camp Friends Are the Best Friends.'
What are the chances, right?!
They wore them straight for two days.
They went to the local mall and each made a Build A Bear.
The same one of course, the peace and friendship bear.
Grace named hers L.
L named hers G.
Each bear has 2 hearts inside it, one from the 'mama' of the bear
and the other that was wished upon by her friend, then placed in the bear.
I honestly had a tear in my eye when they placed one heart in each other's bear.
They swam at the hotel pool.
They cannon-balled and played mermaid and were the life of the party.
They cannon-balled and played mermaid and were the life of the party.
We wrapped them like mummies and they laughed.
They jumped in together as girlfriends do.
Hand in hand.
They wrapped each other's hair in turbans.
They tested together in the mall.
One was high, one was low.
They rode the escalators, hand in hand.
You should know that L LOVES escalators.
Enough said.
We rode each one we saw.
They colored and doodled and chatted, long into the night.
Grace stayed overnight with L in the hotel, along with her mom.
Her mom, J, checked Grace at 2 am in the morning.
Grace was 27.
Yes, 27, the lowest number we have ever seen on her meter.
I want to publicly thank J for saving my little girl and stuffing her with juice and cookies.
She returned to 90 just 20 minutes later.
My friend J saved the day.
I owe you one J.
This was more than just a friend coming to visit Grace. This meant that two girls were coming to relive their whole rock-steady friendship, forged by a kinship in diabetes. This meant that they came to chat about diabetes and so not chat about diabetes. This meant that they each had a friend who had lived through the camp experience. They now know what it is to have been missed dearly by a friend. This meant so much more than I can ever express. Grace and L feel cared for by a friend. Is there no greater gift that I wish for my child?
As for J and I, I cannot tell you what good it does for my psyche to talk with other D-Mamas, ones who fight for their child, who understand and push on through, who soldier on despite missteps and challenges, and who see the good and the blessings within all of this. That was J. A great listener, a good laugh, chatting about the D and our lives. It does a soul good.
It was beyond the beyond.
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