Before the Rooster Crows: A Legacy of Friendship

 

Proverbs 27:17

¹⁷ As iron sharpens iron,
    so one person sharpens another.

 

While I was about to message my cousin this evening, it struck me that I should share this with all of you too.

Over the past year, Mandy and I have committed to working out together three mornings a week at 5:00 a.m. I often joke around, saying, "Mandy, I must really care about you because I show up looking like a hot mess with my wild hair and that just-rolled-out-of-bed appearance." It's true that only those I love deeply have seen me like this. I truly cherish our friendship. Just the other day, she texted to confirm if we were still on for our morning workout. While there are days when we feel tired and need to reschedule, I genuinely miss our sessions. The Monday morning chats are what I miss the most, as they give us a chance to catch up on our weekends.

I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned this to Mandy, but every time I head to church for workouts, I find myself thinking about my Mema and her dear friend, Mrs. Mary Sheblak.

Every time I leave the driveway on my way to the church, I find myself reminiscing about my Mema and Mrs. Mary. They shared a special bond and would rise together at 4:00 am to take their morning walks, a ritual they maintained for many years—likely spanning decades. I can easily picture their conversations during those strolls, filled with laughter and deep discussions, perhaps tackling the world's challenges. Their friendship was truly remarkable, enriched by shared experiences, from sewing circles to tales about their children. It warms my heart to think of the joy they found in each other's company.

One day, a coworker approached me and said, “Sarah, I spotted your Mema zooming to Mary’s on two wheels at around 4:00 in the morning. What on earth was she up to so early?” I laughed and replied, “She was just rushing to meet her walking friend for an important date.”

Walking served as a bridge that connected them, just as it does for Mandy and me. It's quite remarkable how life works. There’s an understanding that we often need someone to hold us accountable or simply to lend an ear. And what better time for that than in the quiet of the early morning hours, before the rooster even begins to crow?

We would absolutely love for others to join us. We share plenty of laughter, especially when we tackle new workout routines together.