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_JEF5582cw, originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

This is Autumn Hodge. She belongs to Eric and Christine Hodge, two of our best friends. This blog entry concerns friends.
Spur-of-the-moment (that means we planned five days in advance in we-have-three-kids-under-five language) Heidi and I decided to go down to Ojai for the weekend. Our friends were totally accommodating, and we were able to see so many people. This was the first time I had been back since we moved.
It was so good for me. I never really missed any of our Ojai friends. I would ask Heidi, "Why don't I miss them like you do? They were my best friends too." I mean... I did miss them, but not the kind of 'miss' that moves from your chest to your throat and back. That’s how I used to feel when we had to leave Granny’s house and my cousins when we were little.
On our last night there four couples got together with our seven kids and one on the way. It was a zoo, a great zoo. These people really love us, and they love our children in the same way we do. We love them and their children.
As we were leaving I realized what good friends God has given us, and I said we should all pray before we left. Then I felt that kind of 'miss' that moves from your chest to your throat and back. I couldn’t, so I asked Eric to pray, and he did a wonderful job of giving God glory for all He has given us, just like I wanted to.
I want to honor these friends. They mean so much to us.