It's interesting how people come and go through our lives, but manage to become a part of who we are. Anne Shirley referred to Diana Berry in Anne of Green Gables as her bosom friend, a soul mate for life. Of course, it's a story, but even in that story Anne and Diana grow apart as they married, had children, and raised their families. It is something that happens to all of us.
Our family recently said goodbye to Max, my cousin, who after a full year of working at an English institute for children, went back home. The kids and I miss him already. He was here for many a weekend and almost every long weekend on the Korean calendar. It was a blessing to have him here. I cooked a lot. Boy, could he ever eat! The boys enjoyed the silly games he played, his knowledge or computer games, his willingness to go for walks, and his love of anything fun. Somewhere along the line, he became 'Uncle Max'. He got a special place at the end of the dining room table, and we learned to pull out his favorite blankets before he arrived. A have a wonderful mosaic of pictures in my mind of his time here. He became someone who is more than a cousin. He became family.
Our family recently said goodbye to Max, my cousin, who after a full year of working at an English institute for children, went back home. The kids and I miss him already. He was here for many a weekend and almost every long weekend on the Korean calendar. It was a blessing to have him here. I cooked a lot. Boy, could he ever eat! The boys enjoyed the silly games he played, his knowledge or computer games, his willingness to go for walks, and his love of anything fun. Somewhere along the line, he became 'Uncle Max'. He got a special place at the end of the dining room table, and we learned to pull out his favorite blankets before he arrived. A have a wonderful mosaic of pictures in my mind of his time here. He became someone who is more than a cousin. He became family.
As we learned that Max really was going to go home, we found out a dear friend that I went to university with will be coming to Korea in just a few days. Ann Chow was a music major at the University of Calgary who still has a Mac Truck of a laugh, and great smile, and an amazing amount of energy. She has planned Urbana conferences for at least the last 16 years, maybe longer. I also have fond memories of her interactions with Jason Allen at IVCF (Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship) events, their laughter carrying through hallways, bringing joy to anyone who overheard their conversations. I remember the young men she liked and the ones that I liked and that, occasionally, we talked about those young men. I haven't seen her since I got married. I am so looking forward to adding some more memories to my mosaic of her.
In Korea, I have been fortunate enough to meet Sonia Strawn. Sonia has spent her life in Korea as a missionary with the Methodist church. Over 40 years and still going strong. She is another little powerhouse of energy. I will be forever thankful to her for her wisdom about nursing when I had my first son Justin. I am also grateful for the friendship, support, and advice I got from her when things at Ewha started to go south. I remember the many, many lunches we have had over the years. And the conversations! This woman has the gift of gab. She is able to pull things out of me that I never would have articulated if it hadn't been for her questions, comments, and her faith that always seemed to shine through whatever was said. She has been light for my soul multiple times. Another mosaic.
There are many others who hold a special place in my heart. Some I do not communicate with often, except for an occasional Facebook message. We do move on, but maybe we never really let go of loved ones. They represent pieces of our eternal hearts, part of the mosaic of our lives, and become part of the grand story, the eternal mosaic of God's "never stopping, never giving up, never breaking, always and forever" love in our lives. We are a patchwork of people, places, times, and cultures that represent Jesus Christ. A mosaic.
Mosaics are curious things. Bits and pieces of stone and glass that may be interesting by themselves, but only fleetingly so. Together the pieces form images that move us in unexpected and profound ways. From fairly simple forms to more complex, the combined effect of tiles arranged in their diversity bring something much greater than the sum of the parts. An paralleled piece of beauty to behold and appreciate.
Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter:
whoever find one has found a treasure.
Faithful friends are beyond price:
no amount can balance their worth.
Faithful friends are life-saving medicine;
and those who fear the Lord will find them.
Those who fear the Lord direct their friendship aright,
for as they are, so are their good neighbors also.
- Sirach 6:14-17
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
- John 3:16
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