Abeba moved to the Boston area right around the time of the coronavirus shutdown. She wasn’t able to explore her community and found herself isolated from the world around her. Abeba didn’t realize just how different things would be when her doctor recommended she look into FriendshipWorks.

"I met Heather, and after two years by myself, my life changed," Abeba says.

Heather, a Friendly Visiting volunteer, had discovered FriendshipWorks through a Boston magazine article back in 2022. She was drawn to the idea of connecting with someone who carried what she calls "sage wisdom" — the kind that comes from a life fully lived. When the two were scheduled to meet, they both wondered what they were going to have in common. All concerns about making a connection dissolved almost instantly.

"We got right into chatting like we had known each other forever," Heather recalls. They discovered they had both lived in Connecticut, liked the same things, and laughed easily together.

What followed has been four years of adventures that neither of them could have predicted. The two have built a rhythm all their own. From doing aerobics in the pool together to Abeba guiding Heather through every careful step of a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, even their simple outings have a way of turning ordinary into memorable. On a recent afternoon of scooter shopping, as Abeba selected one to give it a try, Heather leaned over and said, "Beep beep, who's got the keys to my Jeep?" — and just like that, a routine errand became another story they'll share for years. Whether they're spending time at the lake or beach with Heather's dogs, shaping terracotta mosaic planters side by side, or sharing a Valentine's Day dinner with Heather's wife Kerry, they look forward to each and every visit. "Now I'm her family too. I go with her everywhere — to the beach, drink coffee, laughing — and all this time, for four years," Abeba says. "She gave me life."

That feeling of friendship and family is mutual. Heather says Abeba is like a grandmother to her — someone she can be vulnerable with, someone whose presence has shaped how she moves through the world. When Heather lost her dog of 17 years and was in deep grief, it was Abeba who offered comfort, telling her not to be scared when someone or something dies.

"Sometimes when I think about death and dying, she reassures me that it's okay," Heather says.
Heather credits Abeba with teaching her patience, mindfulness, and how to accept what is. "She has a Zen aura about her," Heather says. "Warm and fuzzy, right from the beginning."

The experience has also deepened Heather's understanding of the importance of connection and community to older adults. She's glad that Abeba participates in a day program in her building that keeps her active and engaged.

"People get so busy in their own world that it’s easy to lose a sense of community," Heather says. "My heart is full. I am so grateful for this connection."

Heather's commitment to giving back stretches across decades — from volunteering with the Boys & Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and several local animal shelters. She describes volunteering as "good for the soul." Most recently, Heather and her dog, Luca, joined the FriendshipWorks PetPals program, where teams visit older adults in assisted living communities and skilled nursing facilities.

In 2026, Heather received the David Libby Award — FriendshipWorks’ most prestigious volunteer recognition — for four years of selfless friendship, steady presence, and care. She and Abeba look forward to adding to their long list of making memories together.

Reflecting on their friendship, Abeba says, "Because of Heather, I became stronger. I got back to my life again. I wish others to have this chance…like me."