The occasion of the visit was their finally locating a source of raw milk - about an hour and a half from their home. They went to the fellow's farm, scoped it out, found it acceptable in terms of cleanliness, treatment of the cows, etc., and made arrangements to buy raw milk on a regular basis. They bought something like ten gallons on the spot.
Then Ro and Lee hopped back in their car (yes, in their seventies, they still hop) and drove three hours to be here when we got off work. Why do they do this? Because they love us. Because they are true friends. Because they are more Christlike than I will likely ever be on this side of my Father's house. Ro and Lee have taken a deeply personal interest in my brown recluse-related maladies, and this is why they literally spent weeks researching potential sources for raw milk.
When our friends came down the driveway at Possum Cough, the car had barely stopped rolling before they both sprang out with the warmest of hugs and greetings. It's very difficult sometimes to remember that they're not our age. They are so vital and so interesting and so alive and so loving. Ro popped the trunk and began pulling things out. The phrase "an embarrasment of riches" came to mind...
Included in the gift were four gallons of raw whole milk, two gallons of raw buttermilk, five pounds of beef ribs, four pounds of ground beef, eight steaks, and a massive beef roast.Also, Ro and Lee picked the last of their blueberries this very morning and brought them to us...about a gallon or a gallon and a half of those beauties.
Something to be aware of is that the beef was slaughtered just the other day. Ro's brother raises cows, and this one is a Scottish Highland. It was raised entirely on grass, and has never had a hormone shot, an antibiotic, or any other kind of injection. Pure and natural and grassfed. We can't wait to cook some up.
Our visit was entirely too brief (less than two hours), but we packed a lot of good conversation into those two hours. We talked of literature and poetry and movies and books and food...and Ro and I spent a few minutes trying to see who could tell the worst joke. I think he won.
We're in awe at how God brings good folks across our path. May He provide each of y'all with friends of whom you can truly say, "He (or she) is a blessing," and may the statement be more than an empty, pious expression.
Rest well, loved ones.
