I was reminded the other day about a special relationship. I had a friend in childhood who was extraordinarily special to me. This girl was a cheerful and beautiful presence throughout the worst times as I dealt with my Mom and all the personal problems I encountered at school. Her name was Barb Gump. She grew up in a large Catholic family. It seemed like there was a Gump in every grade level as I grew up. But Barb is the Gump who most influenced me. I always felt her acceptance. Whatever else was going on, I knew that I was OK in her book. While we didn't 'hang out' socially, she was very important to me. I viewed her as popular and well-liked. And the fact that she was so accepting of me made a huge difference for me. We tended towards the same political opinions as she worked on the same Congressional campaign that I did. So, we had some things in common.
I looked forward to interacting with her. I remember her greeting me in school. I remember her smiles. And I remember her sweet disposition. Interestingly enough, Barb and I met as young women when we both lived in Texas. There had been a newspaper story about Barb's family. Her parents were peace activists. They spent some time in prison as a result of that. And we met as a result of a newspaper article in Texas that helped put me in touch with her. We had dinner together and talked over old times. I introduced her to my daughter, who was a toddler at that time. We shared our lives, She told me about her husband. And I shared my marital struggles. She was preparing for a move to Europe at that time. Her husband was a scientist. And he had been hired to work overseas. So, during a time that we were both experiencing monumental change, we had an opportunity to share and support. Just like she did for me during childhood, I felt her love and support. And she made a huge difference.
We both moved on. She went to Europe with her much loved husband. I ended up divorced and moved to another state to raise my daughter. Throughout the years, I thought about her often. When the internet began to influence my life, I would occasionally 'Google' her to see if I could contact her somehow. One day, I finally found her. But it wasn't something that I wanted to hear. Here is what I found: http://bmwg.org/. My lovely friend had died from breast cancer. Her family established a non-profit foundation in her honor. And the focus of the foundation was on a cause close to my heart, abused women.
If you read about this foundation, you will clearly see what I saw in Barb. Her compassion and love were a beacon. Not just for me, but for many people throughout the world. She was a shining light. I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to know her. And every time I'm reminded of Barb, I smile. For me, she was love personified. I truly wish we had another opportunity to run into each other. It seemed like a bit of a miracle that we did so in Texas. It gave me an opportunity to thank her for what she did for me in childhood. Writing this blog is an opportunity to thank her again in public. I write this thanks with all my heart. Barb, in many ways you are still a sister of my heart. I carry you with me when I am reminded to speak with compassion. I carry you with me when I am open to hearing the pain of other human beings. I simply carry you with me. You live today in my heart, and the hearts of the many other human beings you touched. Thank you, with all my love.
I looked forward to interacting with her. I remember her greeting me in school. I remember her smiles. And I remember her sweet disposition. Interestingly enough, Barb and I met as young women when we both lived in Texas. There had been a newspaper story about Barb's family. Her parents were peace activists. They spent some time in prison as a result of that. And we met as a result of a newspaper article in Texas that helped put me in touch with her. We had dinner together and talked over old times. I introduced her to my daughter, who was a toddler at that time. We shared our lives, She told me about her husband. And I shared my marital struggles. She was preparing for a move to Europe at that time. Her husband was a scientist. And he had been hired to work overseas. So, during a time that we were both experiencing monumental change, we had an opportunity to share and support. Just like she did for me during childhood, I felt her love and support. And she made a huge difference.
We both moved on. She went to Europe with her much loved husband. I ended up divorced and moved to another state to raise my daughter. Throughout the years, I thought about her often. When the internet began to influence my life, I would occasionally 'Google' her to see if I could contact her somehow. One day, I finally found her. But it wasn't something that I wanted to hear. Here is what I found: http://bmwg.org/. My lovely friend had died from breast cancer. Her family established a non-profit foundation in her honor. And the focus of the foundation was on a cause close to my heart, abused women.
If you read about this foundation, you will clearly see what I saw in Barb. Her compassion and love were a beacon. Not just for me, but for many people throughout the world. She was a shining light. I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to know her. And every time I'm reminded of Barb, I smile. For me, she was love personified. I truly wish we had another opportunity to run into each other. It seemed like a bit of a miracle that we did so in Texas. It gave me an opportunity to thank her for what she did for me in childhood. Writing this blog is an opportunity to thank her again in public. I write this thanks with all my heart. Barb, in many ways you are still a sister of my heart. I carry you with me when I am reminded to speak with compassion. I carry you with me when I am open to hearing the pain of other human beings. I simply carry you with me. You live today in my heart, and the hearts of the many other human beings you touched. Thank you, with all my love.
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