Hello readers!
Do you have a best friend?
I do! Her name was Sharon, and she passed away. We met when I was twelve. My message is not intended to be one of sadness. It is one I cherish, and even through grief, there was love. I’m honored to have had so many years by Sharon's side. April is her birthday, and I wanted to honor our love and friendship with the letter I wrote below. When you find that special friendship, they are irreplaceable.
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My dearest Sharon,
I miss you every day. I think about so many memories that I hold dear, our private jokes, and stories only you and I share. I’m so grateful we got to spend precious time together before you passed away. We said it all.
I’ll never forget you sitting on my lap and telling me I was a sister to you, and when you told me I was the "bestest" friend in the world. We were sisters of the soul. You were always the first person I wanted to call when I had something to share or when I needed an ear to listen. Not to mention the hours we spent on the phone! How we talked about books, your favorite authors, and how you rooted for me to finish writing my first book. I know that was you looking over my shoulder the day I typed The End and published my first book. Thank you for believing in me. With your love of historical romance, I was so excited to meet your favorite author a few years back and receive a signed paperback from this author in your honor.
Thank you for giving me one of life’s most precious gifts. You taught me how to be a good friend. I learned to so much from you, but most of all, you taught me how to laugh with your honesty and teasing. I will forever be grateful for our friendship that spanned over forty years. You made a difference in my life, and it was my honor and a privilege to love you. I promise to live my life to the fullest.
Your bestest friend, Jodi
The last message I received from Sharon was a text of an Aristotle quote that I shared below. ===
In our romance novels, we tend to have a best or close friend that our main characters rely on, share their ups and downs, and celebrate those special moments. I bet most of us have incorporated some of the qualities of our best friend into these characters. Just another way we may honor them!
To those we cherish,
Jodi
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