When we part with a dear friend, it may knock the wind out of us. Beloved, we don't know the exact number of our days. The last good-bye you say to a loved one may be the last earthly good-bye you speak to them. As Christians, we will see one another in Heaven. My treasure today is my friend Tina. A treasure.
Today, my friend Tina's body was laid to rest in a cemetery, but on Father's Day her spirit already went to Heaven. I'm saddened in one respect that I can't hear her thick Russian accent and laugh together that I just couldn't get the hang of speaking Russian. She was patient with me when I tried to call her seistra for sister.
The people we get to know as friends and buddies are blessings.
Especially when we feel like we're kindred spirits and can relax around them knowing that we can be ourselves and they're alright with that.
I met Tina at Christian Women's Club 10 years ago. She was always ready to be a Hostess at a table and attended the monthly Prayer Meetings. When our club shut down close to 2 years ago, she said this would be the first time in over 30 years that she wouldn't be attending this Club. She was faithful.
When she was a young girl living in Russia, she had to disguise herself as an old woman to go to church. If caught going to church, she wouldn't be able to attend school. Her cross necklace would be worn under her clothes to where others couldn't see it. She came from a wealthy Russian Family, but they lost their wealth during the revolution to the communist. Most of her family was sent to Siberia. Just before Tina was to start college in Moscow to become a Doctor, her family sought safety in America.
When she married her husband, an American Bomber Pilot, her wedding dress was made from a parachute...the best silk around. She taught herself to speak English by watching television. She'd teach American Soldiers to speak Russian. She could speak 5 languages. Her husband forbid her to speak Russian in their home, but when he died she got satelite television so she could watch Russian television. She didn't like stairs. She stayed extremely active and tried to convince me that I should join her for water aerobics. She'd dream about her homeland and where she had lived. She hadn't returned since she moved to the States.
She was 85 years of age, widowed, Mother to three children, a Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and a friend to many.
I will miss my friend Tina. Do you see her necklace in the picture? After coming to the States, she could wear it on the outside of her clothes and she did.
Bye for now,
~Deanna~
