Friend Times

Wednesday evening (March 8) we gathered in the home of Christine and James Smith with Katie and Brad Hillam and their son, Michael for dinner and conversation.  No photos which is a crime, because we love these sweet people.  Early on, Brad said, this feels so right and normal to be sitting together for dinner.  Yes, it did and I hope that we do it many more times in our lives.  We are blessed to have the Smiths and Hillams as friends.

Some background: 

Christine and James moved to Hong Kong for a 2 year stay from 1990-1992.  They left the same summer we did.  They had four children then and added one more in Hong Kong.  Their only daughter, Allison, was friends with Jessica.

Brad and Katie came to Hong Kong a bit earlier and stayed another year, I think, after we left.  However, they returned years later and lived another several years there in the 2000s.  They had two kids and added Michael, their youngest who also happens to have Down syndrome.

During the two years we lived in Hong Kong together, we frequently played games together---like often.  We loved being together.  We also did a few trips together including a dive trip to El Nito.  We have been blessed to know them and to hear about their lives since the time we shared in Hong Kong.  We have seen Katie and Brad a few times, but this was the first time in almost 30 years that we were together.

And it felt right and it felt normal---like no time had passed, even though we were aware that each of us have had struggles and challenges in the in between years.  Just three weeks earlier, after years of health struggles, James had to have his leg amputated to manage an infection.  Having James sitting in the wheelchair at dinner, laughing together and seeing the strength of their marriages was so inspiring. We are honored to be called their friends....now and into eternity.

Thanks, Christine and James and Katie and Brad for sharing lives with us!  You are the best!

May all of you who ever read this be blessed with such great friends.  One of the best parts of mortal life!