grateful day 25

Today is one of my, if not most definitely...best friends' birthday.  Some of you may have heard me talk about my friend Fred.  To know Fred is to know what it can look like to actively, bravely and honestly live in a way that reflects the heart of God while also engaging head on the tension of living in a broken world that is slowly on the mend.  Fred has allowed me into his circle of friends in a way that has both humbled me and driven me to pursue God's heart in a more honest and real way. 
Fred is a great musician along with his wife Marsha aka Nonna Mar Mar...I was able to play with both Fred and Marsha at church for a number of years and we "gelled"  rather well.  The number of painful seasons that Fred has walked through with me seem almost more than I can count and yet he is still consistently loving me well and encouraging me as a friend. 
One aspect of my friendship that makes it like none I have ever known is that Fred is old enough to be my dad.  Interestingly, the dynamic is a perfect blend of mentor, friend and dad.  We once played guitar together for almost 6 hours straight...wow...
Probably one of the things I most treasure is that Fred is my sweet Audrey's god father.  When I think about who I would want to enstill the truth and heart of our loving God in my sweet Audrey...Fred is it (by the way...Audrey absolutely loves her Poppi Fred and lights up when she talks about him or sees him).  You can see the look on her face in the pictures below.  Fred has taken me to see Crosby, Stills and Nash and Jackson Browne...both were incredible shows...the pic below is from CSN...what great memories..
Happy Birthday Fred.  I am humbled and thankful for you and who you are in my life.  Praise the Lord for you...