For Colleen...

Do YOU have a Colleen?

Here's who MY Colleen is...a precious gift that God wouldnt let go from my life. Details are hazy now, but here's the jist...

Mr. Shovlin's anatomy class, circa 1987: OK, so there I was cutting up w/the class of misfits who had WAY too much fun for a boring high school class. That is where I really got to know Colleen. She was 1 yr younger than me...the prettiest girl I can remember, ya know, that J.Crew natural beauty kinda girl (still is)...and ALMOST as sarcastic as I. We were a perfect team in Mr. S's class.

Young Life: How much fun to ride together...go to bible study together and make fun of Don together! Together we saw Christ in action...the beginning of a long haul

Senior skip day: OK, so Colleen wasnt a senior and maybe it was some other random skip day we justified, but all I remember is spending the day hanging out w/Colleen hanging out and stressing over how to get our moms to write us notes the next day. We were cruisin' in the white RX7 - probably jammin to some good stuff like B52s or The Cure or The Judy's.  No tellin. All I know is that we laughed and laughed (as our grades probably dropped and dropped).

Texas Tech, fall 1989: FF a couple yrs...Colleen came to Tech after I was a seasoned VET (yea, well, a sophomore). She, Jenny, and I became inseperable. Then after dorm days, we decided to rent a house together. Best and the worst of times...

The end? As with all friendships - when you mix DUMB college-aged selfish girls, booze, going out too much, studying too little, seeking God NOT ENOUGH, and falling prey to influence of others - we had big falling out. I mean big. Collosal bad. So bad that the one person who was my best best friend for years, wasnt there when I graduated and packed up for big D. I didnt say goodbye to her when she moved out early bc we were no longer speaking. She wasnt there to see me marry Brent. I wasnt there for her. The end. Funny thing is, God is so merciful - right now, sitting here I cant even tell you WHY it all happened. I dont know how it started...or why...or how it ended. I just knew that thinking of her made my heart hurt...

Wise man says... It was years later...married, working in FW when I was going thru some serious life stuff w/my friend Kim who was dying of cancer. We talked about regrets. I talked about Colleen and basically shrugged it off. But, God didnt let it sneak out of my mind...a few days later I saw her at a wedding (Blombergs I think) and I confessed to Brent that I couldnt stop thinking of Colleen and when I did my stomach swirled around...like I was nervous or something. He told me (wise man) that maybe it wasnt over w/us...maybe there was a reason I couldnt let her go, even all these yrs later and maybe she had regrets too...boy, did I.

His timing: FF a couple more months and we ran into each other again (C, was it at some function at Zemler's when you guys both worked for IBM?). Coincidence? Nah...never is. It was awkward, but easy at the same time. We laughed...we fell back into that easy sarcasm...it was so great to see her. I went home and prayed. "Why cant I let her go? You have something bigger planned, eh? You're not done yet are You?" The one thing I couldnt put out of my head was how sad she looked...ya know, funny on the outside, but sad to her soul. I'd never seen her look so empty. It broke my heart. I decided I'd ask her if she wanted to come to bible study w/me...I knew she was a believer and I was at a new place in my walk and knew that there was the One thing that could be the reason we were back in touch (Kim's life/death brought me back to my walk...changed me forever...more divine planning). She came...she still looked sad, lifeless...not like Colleen. I prayed for her for the next several months; it was a new mission for me - to pray for her. (Do you remember this Pam, Elaine, AJ? I think we prayed together for her a couple times when I'd talk about her to you.).

Here we are: Not sure how much to share, but lets put it this way - that was about 6 yrs ago. And, from there we grew...not back into the same shell of friendship we were in, but rather, into a sisterhood. She joined BSF...her life took some crooked turns, but thru them all she shined and came back to know Him. Her eyes are bright again...she looks like Colleen again. She is who she was always meant to be...I've never seen such purpose and such trust in His lead. Its an honor to be with her thru it, truly.

Our friendship? Better than ever had been...I dont have to filter my words or thoughts w/her...she knows every bit of me and loves me in spite of it. She'll pray for me...or with me. We laugh and we cry...both a lot. But, one thing we know...we were NOT in charge of this friendship, He is. I'm so glad for that.

So, as I write today, she told me some amazing news...an engagement to THE best guy. A new beginning for her life. She deserves only the best. And so, for me, Colleen is my friend who reminds me of the mercy of God and how much He loves me.

So, take a minute and write your Colleen a note...for mine, this is it. Coble, you mean so much to me...far more than the here and now. And when I think of you, these are the words that come to mind:

YL
Younger Life
Tom Petty
Mr. Shovelin
"Have fun stormin the castle"
ROUS softball team at Tech
Lil Sigmas
"The confidence of the founders of Sigma Chi..."
U2
Campaigners
"There were 10 10 10 of them!!! Ten Colleens!!"
"Do you and Brent - like - talk when you're in the car together??"
The Gap
Baggy tops and leggins w/keds <sigh>
Weimers
Bandanas as headbands
Clothes swappin
RX7 stick shift driving lessons
Losers in suede

and...Proverbs 17:17 "a friend loves at all times..."

NOTE: been trying to scan a HILARIOUS pic of us all nite from high school...ugh, scanner is freaking out. Promise to post it soon.

Comments

[Dawn]

What a beautiful story of a friendship God knew had a special purpose! So glad I checked your blog today, Kris. :)

[Cheri]

Such a sweet post.

My friends have been such a blessing, and most recently someone I've never met before!

[Kristen]

awww... that is SO sweet. What an ode to a friend.....or are you just trying to get her to blog again? :)

Congrats on the engagement Colleen. That is very exciting news!

[Colleen Tyrrell]

WOW!! I'm so choked up right now.. THANKS KRIS.. your way too kind to me. I am so blessed to have you as my friend. As I am reading this I'm laughing, I'm crying .. but mostly I too am thankful that I have you in my life and that God sees the big picture of our long beautiful friendship. I can't wait to see what he has planned for us next!

I love you! Cobble Obble Obble ..

Ok, still laughing at the Patty Wagon .. and the list .. too funny.. and as if your ode wasn't enough .. I'm loving the currently listening to section that you posted.. I know that was just for me:) humm what can I download now ..

[Jen]

Haven't logged in in awhile...glad I did today. Beautiful ode to Colleen! Big love and Congrats, Cole!