I told my friend that if I take credit for anything, it’s for this: I prayed. I prayed hard, every single day, through tears and exhaustion, through silence and sobs. I prayed for my children’s hearts, their futures, their friends, their spouses, their jobs, and all the decisions I’d never be able to control. I trusted God to step in and handle the pieces I couldn’t fix — and He did.

Sometimes I don’t even realize how much I needed this person until they are actually smack in the middle of my life.

You know that woman you hardly know, but you’d love to be friends with her? She seems funny and smart and just so cool.