I lost a dear friend this past week. She was my age. When I think about her husband, her sweet Mom and family and best friends, my heart aches. But when I think of her, I smile. She went through so much suffering and spent her final months paralyzed after waking up from a coma, but she never lost her faith in Christ. I have confidence and peace that she’s home in paradise, restored… I imagine she’s making all the angels laugh and dance and smile the way she did to those of us around her here on earth.
We’ve been outside together all week, picking cherries from our tree, covered in red juice from taking out the pits and jumping in the pool afterwards. The babies have been running around, the weather has been gorgeous and in between the total bananas of raising three little munchkins, I’ve been making batches of jam and finding new ways to use fresh cherries in every one of our meals. My friend’s passing has been the dearest reminder that all of these moments are amazingly good gifts. Life is so precious!! She lived out her faith in joy and trust even during the scary times. I rejoice that I got to be her friend and that I’ll see her again.
Simple Fresh Cherry Reduction
(makes 3-4 small servings)
1/2lb (250g) fresh sweet cherries, pitted (plan for a little over 1/2lb with pits in)
1 lemon (about 3 TBS juice)
1/2 C fine sugar
In a wide bottom sauce pan, bring the cherries and their juices, the juice from one lemon and the sugar to a gentle boil, stirring continuously. Bring it down to a simmer and stir occasionally for about ten minutes to allow the liquid to reduce and slightly thicken. That’s it 🙂
Pour over greek yogurt, vanilla ice cream or my favorite lately, on grilled meats. Dobar tek!
brittany says
oh, i am so so sorry to hear about your friend. that is so sad. thank goodness she gets to be whole again, though! sending love. and oh gosh, i know your cherry reduction is incredible!!! i wish i could taste it slash jump right into your photos!! as always. 🙂
Amanda Marshall says
Thanks, Bee!!
Sarah Burton says
Oh I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. Rejoicing with you, though, that she is fully restored and that you'll see her again. Gorgeous pictures as usual!
Amanda Marshall says
Thank you Sarah!! Its always so nice to see your name pop up! Hope you're doing well!
Katie Cook says
Hey sweet friend, i'm so sorry you lost your friend. That is painful, but also great that you will one day see her again, and that she is whole with Jesus! Loving your pics…this cherry recipe looks so yum!! xoxo
Amanda Marshall says
Thanks, Katie… hope you and Avonlea are doing amazing!!
Amanda Marshall says
PS. How do you deal with spammers? Did that end when you switched to wordpress??
Tim and Lanna Britt says
Oh sweet Mands – I just read this post! I'm so sorry about losing your friend. So thankful you'll see her again though.
Sending much love your way!!!
xoxoxoxxox times one million – lanneybear
Amanda Marshall says
thanks Lanney!! love you!!
Colleen says
I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. The fragility of this world is sometimes so intensely felt. A little bit of that going on in my world too. But you have the right attitude in enjoying life's little moments. I call it "chasing the happy".