Abundant Blessings Homestead

A sweet day

Yesterday, we had a party! This party was to celebrate a friend's end of homeschooling career. She graduates her seventh child from their homeschool this year. As I was thinking about the graduation party, I couldn't help but think of the Mama who is dedicated to educating that child (or children) all those years. The love, energy, knowledge, hopes and dreams that have been poured out from Mama to child.

And, so, I began to plan a surprise party for this Mama. She is also a very dear friend of mine...and yesterday was the day!

She was completely surprised. It was a wonderful day! She was greeted by friends from all aspects of her life. And it was such a treat to treat her!! How neat that she was also chosen to be our local paper's Citizen of the Week?! I can't think of a more deserving citizen!!

JoAnne is a very special friend. And has been since before we even moved here. We were e-mailing each other for a few months before our great move. She wrote one day to tell us that they had been by our place and saw a log in our driveway, in the creek. They moved it so we wouldn't have to do it ourselves when we got here. Did we mind? Oh, no, we don't mind at all! On our first day here, all tired and unpacking, JoAnne and her daughter stopped on their way home from a field trip in Nashville...and met us in person. She then went home and made us a delicious meal and brought it back to us. How about that? A day long field trip, yet she comes home from that and makes us supper?!

JoAnne has always been there whenever we've needed her. She fed our animals when we went away once. She came to help us when we lost our Mary. My children have learned to play music thanks to her...she gives piano and guitar lessons at an incredible price of $5 a lesson. We could not have afforded for three children to take lessons at a "regular" price. Yet, she has given these lessons at this price for years. Untold numbers of children in this area have learned to play piano and guitar due to her offering instructions at such an affordable price.

We have a homeschool 4-H group, completely thanks to JoAnne. When she pulled her children from public school, she wanted them to remain active in 4-H. There was not a homeschool group, so she pushed and made one!

When we experienced our great loss and miscarried our last babe, JoAnne was the first to come...to bring us food...to comfort us...to cry with me....to tell me her own story of loss and encourage me. Do you know that when she came over last night to pick up some cake, she brought me flowers? How sweet is that? She's a strong shoulder to lean on and a tender heart to entrust your emotions to...She's wonderful...She's my friend!

So, happy graduation, my dear friend. You are loved!!!!