Hooray for Visitors!

My dear friend and former co-worker, Becky, came to visit us last weekend. Former co-worker, yes, but mostly dear friend. All the way from Baltimore. Ok, so not that far, but far enough away that we don't see much of each other. Actually, she's a lot closer since she moved back here from Georgia.

Becky and I grew very close in those wonderful corporate days. We share a common disdain for our former employer. Being laid off will do that to you. Come to think of it, our feelings didn't change all that much from when we were working there. I guess they were just intensified.

Anywho - From just about the time we met Becky and I had long, deep, existential conversations. My deep devotion to my religion contrast with her lack of religion but immense spirituality made for some great conversations. It has been amazing to share my beliefs with her and see how often they overlap with her own. Though there are some places we know we can't go because our views differ so greatly. But that's the fabulous thing about our friendship. We respect each other enough to agree to disagree and leave it at that.

It has been about 18 months since we last worked together, yet seeing her this weekend felt no different than when we saw each other every day. We picked up right where we left off. Except she spent the night and came to church with us Sunday. I can only imagine how she must have felt.

It's actually kind of interesting that we would talk about these things because I have a very hard time sharing my beliefs of faith. Not because I question them. I guess I am amazed at how candid people are about something so very personal. Even once you get to know someone really well it isn't always comfortable talking about things of that nature. I guess ultimately for me it comes down to fear of how others will react.

There are some people that have major problems with my religion. In July when we went to Palmyra and the Hill Cummorah Pageant I felt this intensely. There were people standing along the fence yelling in bull horns the most horrible things against us because we are Mormon. And there was little boy who was probably ten years old manning one of them. Then there were the signs. My favorite: "Ask me why you deserve to go to Hell". It was seriously disturbing. And that pretty much sums up why I have a hard time sharing my feelings.

Needless to say, I don't have that problem with Becky, and that's one of the things I love most about her. Had we met at a different time in both our lives things would probably be very, very different. We've talked a lot about that too. How there is a reason we met when we did. I'm thankful she was put in my path. Cheesy. I know. But, hey, everyone's allowed cheese every so often. I promise it won't happen again. Not too soon, that is.