Magnifi-not

   Walmart late on a Saturday night is not the setting I'd have expected to have a biblical experience, but there I was when I caught a glimpse of a dear friend down the hair care isle. We saw each other in the same instant and shared the same enthusiasm in our greeting. It was one of those bosom-ey hugs the kind that only real intimate friends can give to each other, heart to heart, a tad too tight and a tad too long. Mary and Elizabeth had one of those. I'm sure they ignored the looks of annoyance on the good people going about their business too and let their delight in seeing each other take precedence in that moment.
  Funny I say intimate friend, we only speak a couple times a year if we're lucky. We don't see each other often, she is a mother of eight and works full-time. We don't have time to devote to our friendship but the cool thing is, we don't really need much more than chance encounters like this to keep us close. We shared with each other what is important in our limited time. We share our support for one another. When Mary and Elizabeth were united, they knew by looking into each other's face, that they had a whole lot to share and ponder. I imagine it went something like this, " Mary, you're not going to believe this..." " Lizzy, dude, I already know!, Girlfrind, some crazy stuff has gone on and we need to talk, get the clay flask and meet me in the garden. Wait, (wink wink) better make that decaf ".  I didn't have months to spend with my friend to pour over life's problems and joys but an hour and a half in the towel section where we relocated for privacy, was all I was granted or needed that night.
   So much was unspoken. It wasn't necessary. We just  allowed ourselves to enjoy a rare moment of understanding  and  connection with another woman living a similiar life. Throughout the conversation we stopped and embraced, once or twice sometimes with tears. We both agreed that God knew we neede to run into each other that night. She had left her house in frustration and headed out to cool off. I was there expending the last drop of energy I had running errands near midnight so that I could collapse the next day. Like Elizabeth and Mary we didn't take a lot of time to explain. We spent our time shoring each other up through friendship and understanging for the work ahead until next time.      
   Thank you God for a woman that understands that I am broke and still at Walmart on a Saturday night because in my middle age, with my kids and husband waiting at home, impulse shopping is all the danger I have energy for these days. Thank You for her because she knows how ridiculous it sounds to be closer to being a grandmother, but still the sagging breasts want to nurse a newborn. Thank You for having another woman who knows that the cleaning products in my shopping cart will do little to improve the way my house looks or smells but knows that it is still important.
   There is safety in speaking about the forbidden subject of faith and challenge and getting tired of trying to fight the good fight. We both agree that at that moment we are close to a spiritual TKO.

I love the  honesty. We don't have to set a good example here. We aren't Mary and Elizabeth by a long shot. Well, she may be a bit closer as her son is preparing for the priesthood while mine is sleeping with his girlfriend. Another embrace. Another condolence.
    She shares with me that she leaves her home early in the morning one day a week to spend time praying before the Blessed Sacrament but usually falls asleep. She's embarrassed about that while I think its absolutely precious and admirable. I love her and I tell her so as we depart to finish our shopping. She asks me to say hello and send her love to my family. I tell her to do the same but let her know that she can withhold my greeting to everyone who pissed her off until she's ready. Maybe I should spent more time in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Not really Mary or Elizabeth but I understand now the joy they must have felt that first moment after all those inexplicable events when they caught a glimpse of each other. Thank you God for this woman in my life and bless her.