Thursday, July 30, 2009

Attachment: I Hope You Dance

I have a bijillion things to do right now and the kids are both napping (so you know how precious this time is), but I'm dropping it all right now to tell this story!
Just a few minutes ago I got a call from my long-time friend (one of the best!!!), Jennifer. She had called the other day to tell me that something was in the mail for me. Now mind you, her birthday was this past Monday. So I'm kind of like, wow, you buy me things for your birthday? I've got a good gig going here. haha.
Well, anyways, back to today's phone call.

Me: Hello
Jenn: Are you near a computer? (she rarely ever says hello back.... and I love that about her. She gets right to it)
Me: I can be
Jenn: I'm sending you an email with an attachment.
ME: Ok.... I'm here, I'll just open my email.... (here's where we had a short, funny little conversation about how impatient we are b/c the email wasn't absolutely instant, and when I say absolutely, I mean it only took about 45 seconds to reach me from Louisiana. But I was still impatient enough to comment about "Ugh, it's not here yet"
Me: Oh, here it is. (I read the title "I Hope You Dance")
Me: Oh, I love that song
Jenn: I know!
Then I proceed to open the attachment and see this:


Me: Oh, I love this artist! What a pretty..... OH!!!!!!!
Tears instantly come rushing out of my eyes like they never have before
Me: I..... Oh my gosh...... ah..... *sniff* ..... I..... don't..... Oh my gosh! *sob sob sob sob*
Jenn: (laughing) It's for you.

Jennifer had read my previous post about my new favorite artist, Peggy Thibodeau, and had contacted her and told her my story about my parents and me. After a few conversations and Peggy Thibodeau checking out my blog (OMG!!!), and flipping through different pieces of artwork, they came up with this piece for me. SHE PAINTED IT JUST FOR ME!!!
I am still crying! It is the most special thing!!!!!
I'm still speechless, Jennifer. You are too precious of a friend, and you'll never know how much you mean to me!!!!!!!!!!!!! And yes, this is definitely going in the book!!!!
Thank you,

16 comments:

Lauren Cole said...

That is the sweetest thing, Mary Beth! True friends are absolutely rare :)

Anneke said...

Wow, that is truely amazing. You know what MB - people love you because you are so wonderful to love. This painting is so so beautiful, and so full of you. Lots of love, anneke xoxox

Melissa Lester said...

What a wonderful, heartfelt gifts you have in that painting and in your friend!

Anonymous said...

Wow. You must have felt so loved when you realised it was made for you.

Amandasaurus said...

Wow, what a unique and special birthday gift! You really have a forever friend in Jennifer. Lucky you

Queenie Jeannie said...

Kinda teary here too. What a great friend you have!!!

And as a Mom, I hope you dance too.

Unknown said...

What a great friend you have!!! :) Such a thoughtful gift!

Robin said...

Wow....what a great friend! That was so very thoughtful. So......what did you get her for her birthday? :-D

Michelle said...

WOWWOWOOWOWOWOWOW! How amazing!!!!!

shelley said...

Wow, i'm so stuned every once in a while when i see a post that "hits" me... you need to go to my blog this link... http://iamstillstandingafterallthistime.blogspot.com/2009/08/and-when-you-get-choice-to-sit-it-out.html
i think you will enjoy! welcome to my world! sending smiles on your wonderful sits day!
shelley
http://iamstillstandingafterallthistime.blogspot.com
http://theplaygroundprincess.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

What a wonderful friend you have & what a very special gift! You are very lucky!
I saw your blog featured on the SITS site & I had to stop by to comment on your lovely blog.
Take care,
Shelley

Kekibird said...

Wow, that's fabulous, touching and so cool! To have an artist check out your blog and then to have that picture done for you. So wonderful.

Happy FB on SITS Day!

Unknown said...

MaryBeth: I don't even know the real significance behind the painting, but just reading the excerpt between you and Jennifer brought streams of tears to my eyes. Friends like that are so hard to find - hang tight to each other!!

Mary Beth said...

Yes, she is a WONDERFUL friend. I am the luckiest girl in the world to have her in my life. I wish y'all knew her too. On top of having a heart the size of Texas, she is hilarious, leveling, and scary brilliant (I bet she'd qualify for Mensa if she were to test for it).

Queenie Jeannie - I lost my mother recently, so this was an incredibly special gift. You saying that you hope the same for me (as a mother yourself) means so much. It's so sweet of you to say so. Thank you

Shelley - I sure will stop by

Kirsten - when my mother was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2003, she told me that she wanted me "to dance" just like the song had said. I made her a scrapbook that went along with the lyrics. It had pictures that went with each line of the song to show her that I am "dancing" so that she would feel more at peace with where I am in life and leaving me. Once she passed away, I found the scrapbook in the drawer of her bedside table. We were very close, and I'm glad that we shared those particular moments and didn't let it pass by. I know that she knows that I'm ok.

Meg said...

Beautiful story & painting!

ldsmommyof12 said...

A wonderful story of friendship. Thanks.