Friends,

I have one friend who I've known for 35 years.

She is a wonderful lady, and has been a very loyal friend and encourager.

She has been blind since the age of four, and is remarkably strong and independent.

She lost her older sibling at the end of March. Many of you prayed for her at that time. My friend is 79, and her sister was just a few years older.

She's probably just hurting herself, but it feels like she talks to me like I'm stupid. Already posting about this has been therapeutic. My mother was much older than me (39 when she gave birth to me), and she used to talk to me like I was stupid quite often. It's an old hurt.

My friend suddenly seems like a know-it-all and a showboat of sorts. I never noticed this before.

I think I just need to call less often, but I worry about her because she lives near New York City, and sometimes has to take her seeing eye dog out at all sorts of hours of the day.

I try to be kind and supportive of her, and then a lot of times I just wind up feeling run over by her.

One of her favorite phrases is, "It's just common sense." She's a black and white thinker, as was my mother. I'm a gray thinker and like to discuss things.

Maybe it's just the holiday blues starting early. I'm sure glad Jesus was humble and obedient enough to come to earth as a baby and human being, so we could all be given the opportunity to be saved, but I sure hate the holidays. Do you think it could be because my family is dwindling?

Hugs and feedback will be gratefully received.

EJ