I spent the weekend looking for a temporary apartment and a permanent home. I have been living in the area for almost a year with family. Their generosity has been amazing, but now that I have moved all my possessions here, it is time to move on. I sold a lovely home but find prices here are greatly inflated, or, at least, well-overpriced. Therefore, I have few hopes that I will ever be a homeowner again. It's difficult to deal with as I am someone who values her independence, yet, this year has been a continual experience of depending on others for just about everything. Humbling, for sure. I always expect too much, I know: "The birds of the air have nests and the foxes of dens but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." I have so much - why do I always seek more? The human condition urges us towards self-fulfillment; the gospel urges us to love.
This weekend, a friend came to help me look for an apartment and to get me organized to find a house, condo, something. Her offer to come came in the midst of her own hectic work schedule, but she never considered that. She is able to be objective when I am picky; able to be challenging when I am whiny; able to be positive when I am depressed. I have found we've seemed to match each other's moods over the years so that we can meet the needs of the other. The gift of friendship is "sacramental" in that it is surely a sign of God's unconditional love for us.
