I don’t remember when I first met Brenda Pousson.

We attended the same church, but while I was raising babies, she was teaching first graders to read.

Then in December 1992, I was diagnosed with leukemia. The day before I left for M.D. Anderson, she gave me a beautiful new journal covered with a flowered fabric.

It was the first pretty journal I ever had.

Years later, Mrs. Brenda became more than my children’s teacher when I returned to the classroom to teach second grade. Our rooms were next to each other, making it easy for me to run to her for help.

We shared stories about our students, prayed for each other, laughed, cried and did all the things friends do.

Our careers in the classroom ended; however, our friendship continued to grow. And just when I think that I know everything about her, I learn something new.

Her children bought her two tickets to the Neil Diamond concert, and I was asked to go with her.

Things got even better when her daughter Lindy offered to take us to dinner, then drop us off at the concert and pick us up later.

But the best part of all was the story she’d never shared with me until our plans were made.

Years ago, while listening to a Neil Diamond song, she whispered a prayer that went something like this, “Jesus, I don’t have a bucket list, but if I ever write one, a Neil Diamond concert would be first.”

The Voice translation of Proverbs 13:12 reads, “Hope postponed grieves the heart, but when a dream comes true, life is full and sweet.”

Checking the first item off her bucket list created a wonderfully sweet memory for me.

Now I can’t help but wonder about the second item on her list.

Ronny Michel may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.