Side by Side

We are never too old for fun and adventure, and what a joy when we find someone to join us in doing something very spontaneous and out of the ordinary!  For some strange reason since we moved into our house I have wanted to sleep out on our balcony, and until recently I had not been able to find anyone to join me… imagine that! My always adventurous sister was sleeping over a couple of nights ago and as we stood in the backyard looking up at the stars I mentioned my desire to sleep on the front balcony and to my surprise she immediately volunteered to join me that very night. I was filled with giddiness and glee! I excitedly ran to find the sleeping bags and pillows and a couple of thick blankets to cushion the floor. We quickly got our pajamas on, went out onto the balcony, and climbed into our sleeping bags. We lay there like kids, side by side in the dark; talking heart to heart, giggling like young girls, staring at the Big Dipper which spread out in the sky before our very eyes. We heard the crickets chirping and the frogs croaking, a fountain trickled in the distance, random dogs let out a bark now and then, and a cool breeze gently blew past, barely brushing over our faces.

Two adult women, both sisters and friends, choosing to sleep on a balcony when two perfectly comfy beds awaited inside. Was what we did practical? Was it well-planned out? Was it even considered normal? Absolutely not!!! And that’s what made it so much fun!  I thank the LORD for the joy that is found in the spontaneous, out of the ordinary things, and I thank the LORD even more, for my sister who was by my side in this wacky adventure. It was perfect that after all these years, she was the one who camped out, side by side with me.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, ⁹ Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.¹⁰ For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. ¹¹ Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? ¹² And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.