My Friends....the Smart Family

My heart was saddened this week when I received a call from my best friend, Vicki that her father had passed away. My mind went immediately to my "girl-hood memories" of when I would travel to Texas all the way from California to spend a few weeks with the Smart family. (or Vicki came to visit me) Yes, that was their name...."Smart".... and they were always so much fun to be around! I don't ever remember being in their home when there was no laughter. Bro. Jim Bob was always telling jokes, and Sis. Wanda loved to laugh at them...no matter how many times she had heard them. In fact, he was often asked to "tell that joke again, Jim Bob". We would all laugh at them, no matter how many times they were told! Vicki and I have always had a unique relationship. We don't have to talk to each other everyday, every week, or every month. We've always been able to just "pick up where we left off"! If you know Vicki you would say along with me that she is one of the most fun people to be around. Karla, her sister is just as much fun! Laughter is readily available when you can be with them for just a few minutes. When I called Vicki to tell her when I would be there for the service for her Dad, I asked her how she was doing. She said to me, "Well, I guess you could say I'm doing pretty good since I haven't had more than two hours sleep. I'll tell you what I'd like to do is go over in a corner and just giggle, and I don't have anything to giggle about!" I have to tell you that we got so tickled and started laughing and almost didn't get stopped! How many times have we found ourselves in that situation when we were totally engulfed in laughter. Oh, how the years have flown by and I will miss Jim Bob, but I will never forget the joy I had when I was in their home. "Rest well, Jim Bob, and when you get to the other side be sure to go see Daddy, Mother and Keith and tell them a joke just for me. We might just hear ya'll laughing down here on earth. Thank you for all the wonderful memories and for your love and loyalty to the ministry through the years. Thank you for all the years you played the piano in church. I can hear you singing right now as the music floats down through the years into my mind. And thank you for allowing Vicki and I to be friends. Her friendship has been one of my "treasures" in life."