Reflections of...Bravery!

    "My brave friend Sandy--forever grateful for you!"

       Reflections Of… Bravery!

                      By Alan P. Scaglione

I spent the day with my forever friend Sandy.

It was our annual Christmas Celebration with the two couples.
We plan it every year—first weekend of December is our weekend to get together and celebrate.
It’s always on the books as soon as there is a new year—Sandy and Derrick live in paradise…Shangri-La!
On the Withlacoochee River, it is one of the most peaceful places I have ever been.
As a city boy, I have to admit that I look forward to our visits, just to relax and enjoy the peace and serenity.
And use my sling shot!
Yep! I always take my sling shot and Derrick and I will just shoot into the river!
Don’t worry—we have never hit any of the ducks strolling by—YET! But we keep trying!
Our Christmas Celebration is a time when we just share the reason for the season—Jesus, our Savior…
And share our lives with our dearest friends!
Sandy and I usually get up early Saturday morning to watch the sunrise on the River…and just catch up on life.
We’ve been best friends since first day of high school!
Life took us in different journeys, but thanks to God, my wife…and Facebook!! Yes, Facebook!!
We reconnected three years ago.
And here we are—like nothing ever changed.
Oh, did I mention that this brave woman with a ferocious faith is battling cancer?
And, did I also mention that… this Thursday, December 12^th, will be our 36^th anniversary of Sandy saving my life?
Yep—God used Sandy to save my life way back then—and I have been eternally grateful to both of them since then!
So…now you can see why we get together and celebrate! We’ve got a lot to celebrate!
But this year… she has just finished 2 rounds of heavy duty chemo, and she is now going through a round of radiation.
She is exhausted and worn out, and feeling the trauma of her brave fight!
But, Sandy being Sandy… she didn’t want to cancel, so… we just made it a day trip.
And my wife made us lunch: mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, cornbread, tomato gravy and… meatloaf—Derrick’s request!
We had a meal together, opened some presents, laughed a little, cried a little and just spent some quality time together.
And Sandy and I got some time on that back porch, looking out on the river, reflecting on the unexpected events of 2013.
And my brave friend just shared her heart.
We had that “just in case” conversation and then just let the peace of the view run through us.
And I thought “36 years ago, she saved my life—all I want to do is repay the favor!”
I gave her a hug and told her how much I loved her… and she hugged my with her “signature Sandy” hug and said “I love you, Alan!”
And I felt that love of a lifelong friend, who had been there for me when I needed her most, looking at me and saying…
“just in case… just know forever, I really do love you, my friend!”
And I felt her love, her friendship, her bravery.
And she inspired me all over again!
At this time of year, we think of the gift given by the one who loves us so much…
“For God so loved… the world, that He gave…His only begotten son…”
We all know John 3:16, but… do we really know what it’s telling us?
God gave because He knew… we couldn’t help ourselves and needed His gift to live!
I know what it’s like to have someone save my life when I couldn’t help myself.
And I know what it feels like to just be… eternally grateful!

 Brother “A”

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