A Friend in Real Trouble!

Caught Ya !!
courtesy photobucket.com

 

At age 16, I was feeling blue, because my boyfriend had committed a crime and was being sent away to Juvenal prison camp.

In our neighborhood, we had a large number of teenagers, and we tended to pair up when we went skating or swimming, or walked to school together. 

This boy was one of our friends, and daily he and I enjoyed the short walk to school, and we also ate lunch together.

He and his two brothers were being raised by a single mom, and he never brought a lunch, so I would share my lunch with him.  I even asked my mother to add an extra half sandwich, and she never asked why, but I am sure she guessed.

It never dawned on me how my boy friend got his spending money, but he always seemed to have enough for things he wanted, like bus fare and cigarettes.

I learned of his arrest because of an article in the local paper about a teenager snatching a purse and getting caught.  I hid the paper from my dad, but he had already read it and was kind enough not to tell me “I told you so.”

Two other boys in our group, Ken and Pat knew I was feeling sad, so they decided they would walk me to school. 

They were both a year younger than me, but what is age?  I laughed and told them that I could not choose between them, so they could both be my boy-friend.  They seemed satisfied, and none of us took it seriously - - except Ken.

A few days later Ken handed me a pretty ring and asked if I would wear it, so I did.  My friend Joann noticed the ring and wanted to know where I had gotten it; because it looked a lot like Ken's sister, Fay’s ring.  When I told her, she suggested that I instruct Ken to immediately put it back in Fay’s jewelry box.

Ken’s feelings were hurt when I returned the ring, but as I explained that the ring might be Fay’s and he should return it to her - - he seemed to understand.

There are times in life when we get hit with something that has happened to a friend, and we suffer depression along with them.  It is good to have other friends to come along side and cheer us up.

I don’t remember my family trying to console me, but it was my friends from the neighborhood that gave me comfort. My family felt to keep quiet, and not speak of it would be a good thing, and they were probably right.

At times we are at a loss for words, when others suffer. Probably the best we could do for one who is sad, is just spend some time with them, and let them talk while you listen.

I am so thankful that God is always a good listener and he also brings comfort to the broken hearted.

 

This post is shared at: Tell Me a Story

And with Rosilind in Croatia, at Wednesday R & R