Joy

I am apparently not too old to jump up and down with joy when I see my treasured friend (BGF) walking toward me at the Aberdeen airport.

Her suitcase was loaded with gifts. Frito’s, home made Choc. Chip cookies, books, puzzles, tootsie roll pops and for my friends, honey sticks and salt water taffy to name a few. Her hugs and her presence were a balm to my soul.

BGF is one of my biggest fans of the blog. She likes that the words are few and the pictures many. All of these photos are hers, with a few thrown in from My Loving Spouse.

I offered to let her write this post, but she immediately declined. You’ll just have to enjoy her photos, which are here in a random manner, just because something caught her eye.

This time together was planned after many tears and the reality that we needed to be together. She needed a short get away and to see me. I needed her to see our life here and to see her.

The Great British Sewing Bee got two thumbs up, as did the Quiz winning Rhubarb and Ginger Gin.

The weather was fine. The Portsoy Rowing Club gave her a warm and cheery welcome, fulfilling a bucket list item for her, rowing on the North Sea.

Such fun to row together.

BFG was a natural. I knew she would be, because she’s sort of awesome.

We went to Cullen, so BGF could have Cullen Skink. She had a wee bowl. Not because she had any reservations about smoked haddock soup, but because she’d spied something new on the menu.

Duck Buns!

We all had a taste and they were delicious, but my favorite part was asking often, “How are your duck buns?”

Remembrance Sunday was a special, solemn time to share.

We’ve been through tough stuff together. Hard times with deaths, illness, children and we leaned on each other. We know with life, we’ll walk through more someday.

Biking through Scotland on a chilly day.

I knew she’d have no problem keeping up with me.

Little did she know that there was a very high likelihood of my getting us lost.

I am glad to say that I did not and the ride ended as planned, just before she was completely frozen. We met My Loving Spouse with the car and bike racks at the cafe and proceeded to warm her up with a latte and the Scottish staple Bacon Bun, which somehow is not nearly as funny as Duck buns.

Walks through the town, the cliffs by the sea, a cider in the pub and coffee in the kitchen with the jigsaw all spread out. Cherished time and my heart was filled. Still time to be silly and dress the same when we went out for an Indian meal.

…and a bit sillier still when they deliver the napkins.

Yes, this could be my favorite picture.

How blessed am I?

I said when I picked her up in Aberdeen with a huge smile on my face. “I think this is how heaven will be. I can just feel Jesus skipping along side of us.”

Now we each are home.

…and we are blessed..

.. and I am grateful.