Hedreich Nichols

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Angels Watching Over Me

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I met an old friend today. It was the kind of chance meeting that makes the world a brighter, shinier place. As we shared stories and pictures of children, goddogs and granddogs,  she told me that her husband says, “Coincidences are when God wants to remain anonymous”.

My new, old friend’s husband is absolutely right and this summer has been a summer of coincidences. 

Sometimes, when the path is stonier than usual, those angelic meetings are what help us to keep it moving. In the last 4 weeks, I have had 4 such meetings. These ladies are golden threads in the tapestry of my summer. Juggling grad school, work and 365/24/7 solo parenting is like doing the Ironman Triathlon. You get much street cred for completing the course, but you have got to have those water-squirters on the sidelines! I know I have sewing and sports metaphors all jumbled up but HEY! This is exciting stuff! In a world where the news and social media show us so much ugliness, it’s just great to be reminded that the world can be a really nice place to be. And it’s great to be reminded that there are no coincidences; there really are angels watching over us.

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A Motherless Child (Not)

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               Two of my mother-sister-friends

Tomorrow marks the anniversary of my mother’s death. Even more than a decade on, I still feel her absence. When her grandson went to his first semi-formal dance, got a 1 at UIL in orchestra and played E-bass for the first time in the church band, I missed her. When I found a hair on my chinny chin chin hailing my induction into the middle aged momma club, I missed her. When I met a man who knows all the old BC&S songs, I missed her. But; rare are the times I feel like a motherless child. 

I have been blessed with the loving, continuous support of a group of mother-sister-friends who provide wisdom, solace, encouragement and a never-ending list of other good stuff. These women are beautiful inside and out. They are brilliant, witty women whose talents and outlook on life have influenced me since my childhood. They are the best part of my mother’s legacy. She chose friends wisely and their love for her has been passed on to me, engulfing my spirit in motherly love. My time with them, spent in conversation, song or not so shy giggles over the handsomeness of Morris Chestnut, Jesse Williams and Richard Burton always rejuvenates me and fills me with longing for our next meeting. These are women who laugh with me, pray for me and my boy, and who drive or fly hours just to spend time with me. 

In this month when I remember the mother who was gone too soon, I rejoice in the incredible birthright she’s handed down to me and to my child. Ladies, I love you and thank God for your presence in my life!❤️

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