I lost a dear friend on February 3,2010..she was a one of a kind and I just wanted to share some words and memories of my friend Julie.

When I think of Julie, these words come to mind.
Transparent, authentic, Heart, compassion, faith, empathy for others, Prayer warrior, heart, fun, real, caring, true. Beautiful, unique, no pretenses, tough, strong willed, a rebel at times, stood up for justice, a fighter . A friend who would be there no matter what and a friend that you wanted on your side. If you were hurting, she hurt with you, when you cried, she cried with you, she felt your pain, because of the things that she had experienced in her own life..she could empathize with what you were going through..and she really, truly cared, and She would always speak the truth to you.

Julie was there for me during some very diffucult times in my life, she was there during the loss of my own mom, coming up to the hospital..seconds after my mom had passed away..and she just wrapped her arms around me, and was a strength and support during those days..she didn't give me any pat cliches,she was just was there and available. She was there while going through some tough times with my daughter..we would pray for each other..pray for our daughers..and supported one another during that season of our lives.

A funny story I have to share..while Ashley was going through those fun, rebellious teen years. Ashley & her friend had both snuck out & decided to go to this under 21 club down on Greenwood avenue.. called the Odysee. Well, niether one of them were suppose to be there..but I had figured out that they were both there. So I asked Julie if she would go with me to the club. We knew that it was mostly just like 16 to 20 year olds there..so we didn't want to look too out of place,
So we both dressed or tried to dress how we thought that the kids at the club might dress. So we get to the door at the club, and there were 2 bouncer guys checking for ID...because you were suppose to be 18..so anyways..Here, Julie and I are two 40 something.. year old women, trying to look and act like we could fit in at this club..so the bouncers asked us for our ID..stating to us, "you gals look too old for this club..you look like moms"..telling us that there was another club down the street, that we would have more fun at.. with people our own age..they had figured it out that we were probably there to spy on our kids..since they were both under 18..and not suppose to be there..but they had to let us in, since our ID said that we were well over 40.. and we caught Ashley & her friend there...and we actually decided to hang out for a bit..and Julie went out and danced on the dance floor with the young, good looking bouncer..that was a fun memory....

I was very Blessed to have a friend like Julie..she was there, and she cared, She loved deeply her friends and her family...and I am so thankful that God brought her into my life in those seasons..if I could end with one word to describe Julie..that word would be..TRUE!