A Friend named Fran

I have been gone most of the day with my sister who recently lost her husband to cancer. We really had a restful day together, enjoying each other's company. First we went to check out some vacuum cleaners, then on to Wally World and later to Target. Both of us ended up spending more than planned. That seems to be the way of things many times.
I wanted to get back in time to write about a dear friend of mine who is having a birthday today. (Perhaps this blog will show up before the day ends). Fran and I have been friends longer than I can remember. We were neighbors, schoolmates, and the best of playmates. When one of us got something for our birthday, etc., the other had to get one very soon. Our mothers thought we should have been sisters since we liked the same things, enjoyed the same games, even liked dressing alike. This "we" I am referring to is my sister, Fran and me, the 3 playmates. We were even a singing trio when Sis was 11, Fran was 10, and I was 9. We visited all the country churches within 30-mile radius and sang gospel music. (Fran's mom was our pianist). We even made some records (that would have been the 78 rpm type). These recordings were often heard on a nearby radio station.
Now, more about Fran; she always tickled me telling everyone that I was 6 months younger than she. Well, she turned 68 today and I'm still 6 months behind her. There could never be a better, more devoted friend than Fran. She always got along with everyone; her way was your way. She never insisted on having her way about anything (except when decorating her playhouse, it had to be decorated just the same as we had decorated ours). I remember playing paperdolls with her, cowboys and indians, house, cars, treehouse, making up plays with my cousin, or just riding our bikes. When she received her first bike, she learned quickly how to ride but had not mastered the "how to stop" technique. So, Fran would ride awhile, then yell for me that she was ready to stop. I would catch up with her, throw down my bike, and run to catch her as she came to an unladylike halt! What fun we had! We tried to be together from morning till bedtime but, often, our moms thought better of that.
One day in November (my birthday as a matter of fact), Fran and her family moved out of the neighborhood. I was devastated! Why had they done this? They only moved about 4 miles away but that was like 40 to a young child! Because traffic was light during those days, I sometimes rode my bike to her house whenever my mom would permit. It still wasn't the same as being 3 doors away from us though. When we grew up, Fran went to a different college from me but we remained friends. In fact, I recall visiting her there on several occasions. We grew up, married, and both of us moved from our hometown; yet, we still kept our friendship alive. Since then, we have moved closer to each other, attend the same church, and have children who are friends. We have taken many trips together during the past 20 years and hope to continue this tradition.
Why have we stayed so close? Because Fran is that kind of friend; one who will always be there for you; one who cares how you are and is interested in your problems. Even though she has many issues crowding her own life, she always takes a moment to check on others, to listen to them, and, most importantly, to lift them up in her prayers. I know many people whom I believe are God's children; Fran is one of those people who lives the life God wants His children to live. Her faith always shines brightly. If someone asks me what a Christian looks like, I could honestly say, "look at Fran."
Happy Birthday, dear friend. May you have many, many more. May God continue to walk with you each day. Thank you for being my friend, for being a great example for others to follow.