Jonesbones5 
My Special Friend
“Dear Remya, my daughters name is Julia, she would like to be your special friend.” That is how, eleven years ago my very first letter to Remya started, I was too young to write, so my mom wrote for me.
Meeting her was eleven years of anticipation and expectations. And that day blew them all out of the water. If ever a day was perfect, it was yesterday.
She held onto me the whole day, we went to a zoo, the kind where the monkeys ran free, and goldfish were so unheard of, they were in the aquarium. We had pizza for lunch, her first slice of pizza. Then we went to an old Buddhist temple where the monks used to live. Small square rooms carved out of a rock hill. Remya and I climbed to the top where we could see all of Bhubaneswar. We sang her happy birthday.
We went back to the hotel and talked some. As we asked questions, we found that her oldest brother had just started to recover from Polio this year. Her mother has no work, and her father cuts down coconuts for a living. He receives about twenty cents per coconut. That is what the family lives on. I had no idea that her situation was that rough, it was hard to hear.
Remya handed me a photo album. She had pictures of her family, and the first pictures I had sent her, from when I was very small. It was funny to see all of the history between us. She also had pictures of her friends the “Sixen Beauties”. I had sent her a picture of me and my best friend in a field a while back, which she had photo shopped over, so that it was her in the field with me. We got a big kick out of that. I learned that she wanted to be a teacher for computer sciences.
Remya had also brought her file with her. Every Compassion child has a file, it includes their grades, their medical records, and every letter she and I had ever written to each other in it. It was overwhelming. It was both of our histories, all of the pictures we drew, all of the questions we asked. It was amazing to see.
Throughout the day I really fell in love with this wonderful girl. I loved how she wouldn’t let go of me, I loved how she loved my “fish eyes”, I loved how she cried as we said goodbye and she held me tight, I loved how she could only say “I love you so much” through her tears, I love how her mother grabbed my chin and smiled as she said I was like another daughter to her. I loved that day, and I love Remya. Words really can’t describe my day with that wonderful girl. God really did put us together for a reason. She has been my “special friend”, and a huge part of my life. One day, after eleven years, was worth all of the goodbye tears at the end, all of the sponsorship money. This relationship is priceless.
I have come to terms now that this will be the last time my family or I will get to see her, that we only have one more year to write letters before she graduates from the program. But I know that one day, I will see her again in heaven, my Kingdom friend. And it will be a joyous day, because we won’t have to say goodbye. I can’t wait till then.
12 Comments on “My Special Friend”
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Jonesbones5 
Very BEAUTIFUL! Sitting here crying as I read this and hoping that I don’t have to wait 11 years to meet my special friend. God is so GOOD!
My dear Julia,
God is so alive in your words and pictures. I love the hands showing you holding each other. That connection will always be there; and you will remember her for the rest of your life. God is so great! Love you bunches.
This is so beautiful, Julia! I am so happy for you that you finally got to see your friend and spend time with her. Sounds like it was more than you could have ever imagined…God does that! Can’t wait to hear your stories. Still praying!
Mari
What an amazing day for you!
You are able to stay in contact with her after she leaves the program. I know you have to sign some release form and Compassion will give her your address so you can continue to write. I’m not exactly sure how it works, but you should definitely look into it.
This is amazing Julia. I could never even imagine a bond that strong between two people so far away; but this is so touching and beautiful. I am so glad you are having such an amazing time and that you get to have so many incredible expiriences that some people could only dream of having! I can’t wait to see you again and hear more about India! 🙂
Ths is the GREATEST!! Beautiful post, beautiful photo, but most of all beautiful girls from the inside out. And to think I even know you personally!! Glad you shared this and that you can enjoy this special experience. Keep loving and living for the Lord. Love you tons.
This brought tears – of JOY to my eyes, and I don’t actually know either of you. But, someday, we’ll meet in heaven, too! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful story and photos. I may or may not ever meet my sponsored children on this earth but pray I will get to someday, if not… then, in heaven! (Thank you Lord Jesus).
Julia. . . AMAZING!! Sitting here with joyful tears reading about your day! Beautiful pictures of two Beautiful girls! love you! keely
WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW! what a beautiful post and i LOVED seeing the pictures of you two beautiful girls!! thank you for sharing this moment with the world and for letting us in on this special friendship. i’ve been praying for you and the folks on the trip constantly, asking Jesus to be really near to your hearts. love you dearly, beautiful girl!!
I am totally a wreck this morning my sweet girl and so glad you had the chance to meet your special friend. I am praying God uses your story to help others.
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing this with us Julia! Praise God for this relationship you have had and the chance to meet your dear kingdom friend.
Wow… never has a post moved me so much. I was practically in tears by the end of it! Such a beautiful story, and the photos brought the prose to life for me in a way that I rarely get to experience. I will be following this blog with GREAT interest. Best Wishes.