Happy Birthday my Friend-eth

August 26

Today is Val's birthday. Maybe you know her as Mrs. Wold, a title she accepts with joy. So many call her friend. Even those who call her "teacher" call her friend. She is one of those rare souls who put their own life on the back burner for the sake of others. We have laughed together, prayed together and just been together in silence (more her than me).

There were moments in my life when someone spoke a cruel word to me, she was there to lift me up without a single ugly word about the one who spoke. When church people avoided me because of the path my precious son was on, she came to me, hugged me, prayed with me instead of for me. She has approached me, worried not that she offended me but that she offended our God while speaking to me. Honestly, sometimes I am at a loss, not knowing how to respond, not feeling offended, but seeing her pain, her desire to make sure she is right before God. I love her.

Anytime I show her some new found do-da on the school soft-ware she lights up and talks to me like I am brilliant. The truth is, I just had too much time on my hands.

There was a time when I would wonder, "What does she want from me?" because just about EVERYONE who flatters me is setting me up to give something to them. Not Val. It was difficult to not brace myself for what may come next when she voices something positive about me, something I am sure is not actually true. When she tells me something honest, it is not to ask for anything from me. She gains my heart. A friend who loves at all times.

Happy Birthday dear Val.