There is always a reason to celebrate! (A special guest post from a great friend)

I was approached late last week to do a guest post on 29 and going to be fine. My first thought was that hopefully a guest post will put at bay Ross's constant inquiry to the blog I once wrote! Unfortunately, my blog couldn't keep up with life and so it stopped. Just like that, albeit much to my dismay. So now I am thankful and honored to be a part of this fabulous new blog - even if just for a brief and shining moment! 

Even though the creation of this blog was not the cheeriest of circumstances, friends and family are so thankful for the blog and the information it provides {also for the humor from Ross, details and facts from Abby, and poor grammar - sorry Juddy}. For me personally, it has been a huge help to provide comfort as I live a few hours away and long to be closer some days just so I could grab a quick mid-week lunch with Abby or take Judd out on a special playdate. And I can’t believe I’m going to admit this, but in this case technology is proven to be a positive force for connecting, sharing prayers/praises, and updates as we continue to lift the Jonses up during this fight! 

Recently I read a Facebook comment on one of Abby's posts near the beginning of the diagnosis. It was touching. It was the truth. In summary it said that Abby was really only an acquaintance in high school to this particular girl but she was going to pray for Abby’s battle because the thing that always stood out was that Abby was kind to her. And that was it, that four letter word, sent tears rolling down my face one night as I read it on my laptop. Because that's what Abby is...she is kind. Kind to all and therefore liked by all.

So if Ross does edit my wordy introduction...I at least want to tell you about a special weekend we had with dear friends. Our friend Alexis decided now, more than ever, it was time to get some long lost friends together! Our excuse to celebrate..."It's been entirely TOO long!" We met for brunch last Saturday morning at Arthur's at the Ocala Hilton. It was a wonderful group of friends - local and out of town - and we certainly missed the ones that couldn't join us that day. 

Many of us have known each other since at least kindergarten and have remained friends since, not always the closest of friends, but we did have one constant force between our relationships through the years...Abby. Our sweet, beautiful friend who originally brought many of us together.

We were all asked to bring our favorite thing under $5 and three of those items in tow. Some were fearful it was for an ice breaker of sorts {moi}, but alas it was just a fun gift exchange! We filled two gift bags with one each of our favorite items. One bag went to Abby {lucky!} and one was drawn and gifted to Sky {not fair!}. The third gift we each brought was numbered and paired with the number we each drew out of a box. We did go around and explain why we brought the items we did. I loved seeing all the unique items everyone brought…nail polish, coffee, flowers...I think they all fall into my favorite things category! 

Most of all we enjoyed being together and normal {if you can even call us normal!} - which means lots of laughter and reminiscing! It was so nice catching up in person after many years.  And we celebrated friendships and Abby. There is always a reason to celebrate! Oh, and we did enjoy recreating some really interesting photographs from our middle school days!

But before I officially sign off {might be my last chance at blogging for a while...again}, there is a stanza from a song of one of my favorite Broadway musicals that I relate to many of my friendships and want to share. 

So much of me

Is made of what I learned from you

You'll be with me

Like a handprint on my heart

So no matter the distance {quick...who can continue the BSB lyric?!...}, I feel those words embody the relationship we all have with Abby - I know it certainly does for me. 

And one thing I was never good at during my blogging tenure was keeping it short. So now, on to the pictures!

abby and alexis

our favorite things!

sweet friends

abs and me

 danielle and abby

(danielle who has lived in louisianna and south carolina since high school)

abby and ana 

(ana moved to lakeland after middle school)