For the Love of Cookies! (A Friend in Need)

 

What I thought was going to be a fun-filled Saturday with my male companion turned into a disaster. It was my day off and I had hoped to take a day trip to the countryside to ski or to go to the city to shop. I was quietly doing some work on my computer  that morning when all of a sudden my friend demanded that I cook him something to eat. While he was in the bathroom I got some ingredients together and began cooking on my stove top. Minutes later my male companion got into a rage and screamed, "How can you cook me such horrible food? Who do you think I am, a homeless person who eats food from a shelter?" He tossed the food into a pot and stormed out the door. I was so frustrated with Mr. Nameless that I went outside to take a walk. When I came back inside my condo, he was was back, this time screaming that he received a call to go to work and needed to borrow some gasoline money. I told him I was short on cash and then he really blew it. He began throwing everything he could get his hands on. He called me horrible names and broke some drinking glasses, a room divider, and a broom. Then he threw the couch against the wall and pulled my curtains off the window. I was petrified and the worst part was I didn't have my eyeglasses with me, so I was squinting to see what was going on. Ten minutes later feeling guilty Mr. Nameless began sweeping the floor that was full of glass. Through a miracle I was able to get my eye glasses in the bathroom and throw on a fleece jacket and my boots. I grabbed my wallet and ran out the door. I thought for certain that he would stop me but he didn't.  It was freezing outside and I had no coat, hat, or gloves to wear. Luckily there was a gasoline station nearby and I went in there to keep warm and make some calls with my phone to see if my brother or any of my friends could help me out. My brother wasn't answering his phone, either was my friend down the road. Then.... I thought of Mary, from church who I was in a prayer group with.I called her and I was delighted that she answered her phone. Within 20 minutes she arrived at the gasoline station to see how I was doing and insisted I call the police to report what had happened. 

After some stressful moments, I was able to return to my now empty condo, retrieve some personal belongings and go with Mary to her house to spend the night. It was only a 15 minute drive to her house but I felt as if I was transported to another world. We were in the wilderness away from noise and traffic. The solitude was priceless. Once inside Mary's house, I was introduced to her husband Tom. I felt right at home at Mary and Tom's. house. Mary showed me around the house and then took me to the bedroom I'd be sleeping in. After I unpacked a few of my things I went to the kitchen to have some tea. How about some cookies with your tea?" asked Mary. How could I resist? I love cookies. Tom sat at the table with me and said "I eat Mary's cookies everyday, it's a must." Within moments Mary put an assortment of cookies on a plate for us to enjoy. There were chocolate chip, coconut, ice-box, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin, sugar, and white chocolate macadamia nut cookies to choose from. "I always have cookies on hand and I usually keep them in the freezer because Tom can't live without cookies," said Mary. She opened up the freezer and said "You can help yourself anytime to cookies. In fact I'll be baking more cookies tomorrow morning."said Mary. The three of us enjoyed those cookies very much and we were smart to set most of them aside to save for after dinner.

                                                Just baked "Oatmeal Raisin Cookies"

Dinner? I provided the dinner. The early lunch that I had started preparing for my angry male friend was much enjoyed by Mary and Tom. I had made pasta with grilled chicken and vegetables. Once it was heated up, I added some sauce to the meal while Mary grated some delicious cheese to put on top. We all enjoyed the meal and Mary said to me, "Your friends loss to a good cooked meal, is our gain." Tom agreed and even asked for seconds. How wonderful it was to be in the company of two devout Christian people who offered me such gracious hospitality. Mary even drove me to work and back the following day and insisted I stay another night. I did stay another night and it was so relaxing to sit in Mary and Tom's cozy house and just take it easy. In the evening we all sat near the wood burning stove and listened to some relaxing music while watching bits and pieces of the SuperBowl.

Mary, was my friend in need. A genuine friend who helped me calm down and encouraged me to stay away from Mr. Nameless. Later that day I checked my voicemail and was shocked that Mr. Nameless had left me 14 voice messages apologizing for his behavior and begging me to call him back. He even came to my work place the following day, asking for forgiveness. It's important to forgive, but I'l never forget the anger and pain he caused me. How grateful I am to my friend Mary and her husband Tom. Sometimes, life brings us some lemons, but we can turn those lemons into a refreshing lemonade, or better yet we can turn to the comforts of homemade cookies. Those cookies that Mary makes are made with love and kindness and they were especially extra nice when I was faced with anxiety.

Bad Moments Fly By When We Have A Caring Friend to Provide Precious Moments. I hope all of you have friends to turn to when you're in need of a friend. A genuine friend is a real blessing! Be Safe and Be Well! May abundant blessings shine upon your lives!

                                             Mary and Tom's Home, (It's like a Bed & Breakfast)