Many times now I have sat down to write this post only to find myself lost for words, unable to convey to you everything that this girl was and is to me. Unable to capture our childhood antics and endless days of laughter.
Today I am giving it another shot.
When I was born she lived next door. I suspect we became friends before I could walk or talk. I suspect she was making me laugh and holding my hand before I could say her name. She has continued to make me laugh and hold my hand for all of my life, not once letting me down or leaving my side.
On my first day of primary school she was my “buddy”, the older student the teacher pairs you with to show you around and look after you for the first week or so.
Throughout Primary School I slept at her place most weekends. I talked too much, woke her too early and ate all of her food; still she had me back time and again.
We went to different High School’s, but on the weekends we played netball, shared pizza, wore each other’s clothes and got together to run amok.
After school I left our home town and seldom went back. We drifted apart. However, whenever anything happens in my life she is right there, still holding my hand, still making me laugh.
As many of you know my heart was recently broken and our family has been going through a trying time.
The other night I was sitting on the couch with my husband and before heading to bed decided to check my emails. There was a beautiful letter from her, sending her love, letting her know we were in her thoughts.
My thoughts went straight to the fun times we shared in our youth. I thanked her for her message and told her that she had taken me back. I had visions of us sitting on the bench outside the takeaway shop going halves in our weekly pizza.
She replied with stories that made me laugh loudly! I hadn’t laughed near as much as I like to for some weeks. She reminded me of all the mischievous things we did and I giggled until my stomach hurt. I went to bed smiling.
This lady has been through some rough times. Neither of us had a perfect childhood. But she wrote in that letter that she wouldn’t change it for quids and I wouldn’t either. We formed a pure friendship in those years. The type that not once failed. We didn’t go through stages of falling out with other. There was never any problems, she never hurt me and I certainly hope I never hurt her. It was easy, it was fun. It was something I then took for granted.
Later that week I received a gorgeous, oversized box of flowers from her, her Sister, her Mum and her Sister in Law. I cried when I read the card. These are people who know me inside out. People who have been a part of my life for longer than I can recall. People who are genuine and real and caring. People for whom my love is deep because it started the moment I was born. They are also people I have not seen in many, many years.
The same night I heard from her Sister. I love her Sister every bit as much. We share the same Birthday! Hearing from them then, and at many of the others times that they have written since Wholefood Simply began, meant more to me than I can express. That they find the time in their busy lives to read my little stories and to send their messages warms my heart. It reminds me of what really matters, of the value of true friendship. That friendship is not measured upon how often you speak or the distance between you. Like all relationships it is about love, about caring and about being genuine. It’s about those who know every side of you, the good and the bad and accept you exactly as you. It is about those who are there throughout your loneliest or most difficult of times.
As the days went on I heard from more and more childhood friends and this post would go on forever if I told you a story about each of them as I would like to do. Every one of the letters lifted my spirits, comforted me and filled me with gratitude. I thank you all and I feel blessed that we grew up where we did, that you came into my life and that you have stayed.
Lemon and Coconut Loaf
- 1/2 cup coconut flour
- 2 cups desiccated coconut
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 4 eggs
- juice and zest of one lemon
- 4 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon concentrated natural vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon bicarb soda
- pinch of salt
- Preheat your oven to 175°C or 350°F. Grease and line a loaf tin with baking paper over hanging the sides for easy removal.
- Place the coconut flour, desiccated coconut and zest into your food processor and pulse at high speed until the mix resembles fine crumbs.
- Add the coconut milk and coconut oil. Pulse until well combined. Add the eggs and maple syrup, pulse to combine. Add the vanilla, lemon juice and bicarb soda. Mix to combine. Stir in the salt.
- Spoon the mixture into your prepared tin and smooth the top with a spoon or your hands. Bake for 50 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the tin for 20 minutes before moving to a cooling rack. Serve. Eat. Enjoy.
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