Until next time...

What are friends for if not to help you up when you fall, 

to wipe your tears when you cry,

to laugh with you when you rejoice,

and to sing for you when you've lost your voice?

Shared joy is double joy.

Shared sorrow is half a sorrow.

Ema Burt has only been gone for 2 days, and I'm wondering how I'm supposed to spend my time and what I will do without her for the rest of the year!  As August 3rd, the Burt family's departure date, neared we had to make the most of our last few days.  Not that we weren't already having Ema over as much as possible, but we made sure to keep it up even during the last weekend.  We were so glad that Ema was willing to put up with us so often and kept her schedule semi-open for the high demands we put on her.  Last weekend, while trying to ignore the fact that she was leaving very soon, she joined us for a trip to the waterfall and then another long drive to a different beach the following day.  

Against our wishes, we got up at 4 am to drive the Burts to the airport, which made me feel like a traitor by enabling them to leave...but it was wonderful to spend their last few hours in Washington together.  

Sometimes I'm in shock that I've only known Ema for 2 years.  It feels like we've been friends for ages, and we never have trouble picking up where it was left.  I was missing out on so much in the previous 15 years!  I'm going to miss our laughs, tears, jokes, games, sleepovers, and well, everything!  Ema, I have no doubt that God put you (and your family) into my life with perfect timing.  More memories to follow in the future...

Rocky Brook waterfall, Brinnon WA

Jonathan

The water felt surprisingly good, so a few went swimming.

Me, Ema, and Tirzah

2 of my best friends.  Tirzah and Ema are just some of the best,
and if you don't know them, you're missing out on a lot.

Josie is the best with all the babies!

Mom and Josie

Family picture!  (of those of us who were there.)

Auntie Tirzah and Jonathan.

My little toothpick boy, Judah

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A lake we stopped at on the way to Rialto Beach

One of the loveliest, clearest lakes I've ever seen.

We were really tempted to jump in.

Sisters!  (or might as well be)

The waves at Rialto Beach were as cold as they were lovely.

Lots of yucky...whatever this is on the beach.

Eve, the flying...bat?

Ema seems to get all the babies of our family to stay in line.

Emma, Judah, Jonathan, and Eve.

You have no idea how hard getting a family picture is...

Judah, Emma, Eve, Jonathan, Sarah, and Jon

Judah got some unidentified black marks on his face.
If nothing else, it was pretty cute.

"I am part dog and must chew on sticks for the benefit of my teeth."

There has to be something cool somewhere out there.

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The amazing Burt family!  So glad I get to call them friends.

At the airport, spending our last few minutes together
at some unrealistic hour of the morning.
Ema, me, Tirzah, and Johannah

Taking our last looks at the Burt family...

Ahh, nothing like ending a sad goodbye with being unsure of where the van was parked.

So many times I think of you,

and I experience all over again 

the special times we've had.

I remember a laugh we shared, and a smile;

I remember the love and support you offered,

and I feel thankful.

I think about how important friendships are

in a world where everything else seems so uncertain,

and I know I am truly blessed!

Good friends like you are a rare treasure.

It is a gift to have you as mine!!