Our Special Visitor

Today was a big, no, a HUGE day for Sheila. Her very best friend in the world, Teresa Birch, stopped in for a visit while she was in town for a wedding. We first met Kenny and Teresa Birch shortly after we were married. Up until 1995, when Kenny’s work took them to Kenosha, WI, we did everything with the Birches. We’ve shared a lot of memories – births, baptisms and birthdays – together. And most recently we’ve shared high school graduations and a mission call. Sheila always said that she was closer to Teresa than her own sisters, so much so, that we gave Ashley the same middle name as Teresa. They would often joke that one mother could not have handled them both so they were separated at birth. The girls have grown up always hearing stories about Uncle Kenny and Aunt Teresa.

Anyway, Teresa had arranged with me for her visit to be a surprise for Sheila and the girls. I had to tell the girls that there was a special visitor coming today so they wouldn’t plan anything else. Holly and I waited in the lobby while Ashley took Sheila to the dining room. When Teresa walked in she immediately walked over to where we were sitting. Holly had no idea who Teresa was since she was only a year old when they moved. I leaned over to Holly and said, “That’s Aunt Teresa.”

We then took Teresa to the dining room to see Ashley and Sheila and to join us for lunch. Teresa walked up to the side of Sheila’s chair and Sheila was literally speechless. Somehow during all of the talking we managed to eat our lunch.

After lunch we gathered in the Resident Lounge where we shared lots of stories, relived some wonderful memories, shared pictures and even got to talk to Steven (their oldest son) on his 27th birthday via phone. We took lots of pictures even while laughing hysterically. It was probably the most Sheila has laughed and smiled in the past year.

In those brief few hours it was as if time had stood still for over 14 years. We pray that we can see our dear friends a little more frequently now that our kids are grown. We would love to have them move back closer, but now they have grown children of their own to consider. Until then, we hope they know there are a lot of people here in “Zion” who still love and miss them. Thank heavens for pictures and lots and lots of memories.

Teresa, we are looking forward to October 2010!