Friends

I write this blog from a small Airbnb in the cowtown of Wickenburg, Arizona. I am a writer because of an alone life. I spend hours alone. We spend evenings alone in NYC. We vacation alone in the summer months. We have got used to the alone life, and, for the most part, we do not mind it.

Therefore, it’s been an unexpected blessing that instead of hiking alone in the Arizona desert, we are fellowshipping with friends. Did not God’s providence (I certainly didn’t plan it) put us down in this spot (with its awesome view of Vulture Peak) where we can see over to the house where Bob and Mek are staying. We began married life in another desert, living on Bob’s place. In 1983, we moved on, our ways parted, until now.

Before coming to this place, I booked a place in Surprise. To our surprise, it belongs to a brother and sister in the faith, so while it was a little overwhelming to have Mennonites that close, the blessing went above and beyond with the connection of the brotherhood.

Mike and Darla and we were young couples together in the Owyhee Desert. Yesterday with them and Bobs we did a fabulous boat tour on Canyon Lake, had lunch in Tortilla Flats, and a train ride and ice cream at Goldfield Ghost Town. I’m sure Laurence and I could have enjoyed these things alone, but how much richer to experience it with friends.

Since coming here, we’ve connected in spirit with new friends and bonded with old friends. “How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity . . . for there the Lord commanded the blessing” (Psalm 133).

We fly home to winter in NYC on Friday, but just now friends and coffee are calling. (I did decline going to sewing with my sisters. I fear that I’d feel like a fish out of water.) Berniece