Most homes that I have been in have a coffee table in the living room. It has always bewildered me as to why it is called a “coffee table.” I mean, really, who ever puts coffee on the coffee table? Who sits around the coffee table to share a pot of coffee with friends? In my experience most coffee tables are the place where one puts magazines, “coffee tables books”, candles or a big bowl of popcorn on family movie night. So why then, I ask, do we call this piece of furniture a coffee table!?
I have a new coffee table at my house. It does not match the description of the oddly named furniture piece previously described. My coffee table is dearly treasured. It is a place of refuge. A place of remembrance. A place of prayer and reflection. It is my place to drink coffee (or the occasional hot tea) from my treasured, favorite cup. It is truly a coffee table.
This week, my friend moved away. Heather was the second friend I have lost to “a new life’s journey” in the past year. Our mutual friend Jenni moved in late July of 2010 to begin the break-up of our 3M trio. When Jenni and her family moved away, I had an awful twinge in my stomach. I could just feel that it would not be long before Heather and her family started a new journey elsewhere, as well, and then our trio would be spread across the country. No doubt. 3 different states. Multiple-day car trips between us. Insert sad face here.
Many of you reading this will say I should get over it and not be so caught up with the loss my best girlfriends to another state. I have a family to take care of. A job. Other friends. You might say that I should be used to this, having lived my full 30 years in a military town. But, because I have lived for 30 years in a military town, where childhood friends move away, I have never had a true best friend. Never, until Jenni, and then Heather, came into my life. Both of these women played and integral roll in growing my Christian faith and ultimately helped save my marriage. They have helped me become a better woman all around, from prayer warrior to wife. All while sharing our lives with each other over a cup of coffee.
I will never be able to repay my Besties for all they have given me. And we aren’t just talking the maternity clothes they let me borrow or half my wardrobe of hand-me-downs they have blessed me with. I am talking about much more. They have loved me, supported me, let me know when I was wrong and shown me unconditional grace. Through many laughs, tears, prayers and cups of coffee, these women impacted my life forever and they will always be in my heart, no matter the distance between us.
4 months ago, my husband and I welcomed a baby girl into our, now, family of 5. I can honestly say this wouldn’t have happened without the prayer and support and more prayer from Jenni and HK. From helping me to get my head on straight, in order to get my marriage on the right track, to all the prayers through pregnancy and hospitalization of our little preemie. For this reason, we chose a name for our little girl to honor each of them. Myla’s middle name, Klaire, was given in honor of Jenni. When I asked Jen her favorite girl names in the grocery store, Claire was the first name she gave. The “K” in Myla’s Klaire was given to honor Heather Kate’s beloved nickname “HK”.
So what is so special about my coffee table? As Jenni, pulled out of town, she gifted me a coffee cup that I always loved to drink from when we chatted and prayed at her home. Just holding it would bring a smile to my face. When HK pulled out of town, she gifted me her wrought iron garden table and chairs (mostly because they couldn’t fit it on the truck, but also because she knew I loved it.) They are perfect in size and frankly just adorable. So now I have a new coffee table. A treasured table to sit at while I drink coffee from my treasured cup. And when I am sad or have had a long day and I just need a hug from Jenni and Heather, I will sit on my porch with my cup of coffee, at my little coffee table and think of my precious best friends. I will pray for them here. I will think of them her I will miss them here. I will remember them here. And one day, I will sit here and have a tea party with my precious Myla Klaire.
