An Epiphany of the Metaphor Variety.

This is my friend Neva.  She is one of my favourite people and it’s her birthday today.

She has almost known me forever – the first time she met me was just after she and Dave got engaged.  Mom and Dad invited them over for dinner and I talked to her non-stop.  So much so that my mom sent me to my room.  Neva says she remembers me stomping away from the table and Mom saying “…and don’t slam that-” *SLAM* “-door.” 

About ten years later, Dave, Neva and their first gorgeous baby moved in just up the road and I became more than a frequent visitor at their house.  Another three gorgeous babies later, I was still hanging around their house and eventually, Neva asked if I wanted to move in and be their boarder.  Some of my favourite memories were made there.  Like the time we saw a mouse in the kitchen, or the time we somehow got talking about what a rocking horse would sound like going down the stairs and spent about half an hour laughing hysterically (you definitely had to be there to fully appreciate the hilarity).

We have talked and laughed and cried and folded a lot of laundry together over the years.  And we’ve had a gajillion cups of tea.  Maybe more.  She has encouraged me, comforted me, motivated me, inspired me and given me many a good wakeup call over the years.  And the best part?  She still does.  She teaches me so much and lots of time, she does it without having to say anything at all.

That photo up there is from my wedding day (the white dress and the flowers may have been a giveaway).  She was ‘Queen of the Bridesmaids’ at our wedding and yes, she chose that title herself.  During my speech at our reception, I said that she was so many things to me and I didn’t know exactly what title to give her.  But the other day, while I was washing my face, I had an epiphany.  And I thought of the perfect way to describe her. 

She is like a chameleon.  Though not cold-blooded or scaly and her tongue is not blue.  She’s whatever it is that you need, right when you need it.  Like a word in season… and she almost always has one, whether she knows it or not (though I have a sneaking suspicion she does).

Thank you lovely Neva for being everything that you are to me.  I am so grateful that God put you in my life xx

Speaking of chameleons, but on a completely different subject… One of the very few things I remember from French class at school is this song.  Strangely enough, about a chameleon called Leon.  Go on, you know you want to listen to it.  This one’s for you, Neva.  Happy birthday xox

P.S.  For those of you who are wondering, a rocking horse would sound like this going down the stairs – Ree, ree, plonk.  Ree, ree, plonk.