True Friends

I have been sick for the past two days.  A lot of bed time and misery makes me introspective, and I've been thinking about friends.

Sami is kind and sweet and good.  We can go months without seeing one another.  We can sometimes not even really know what is going on in one another's lives.  But no matter how long it's been, she loves me, and I love her.  I know that if I need anything I can call her, and she will be there.  She is family, and she has blessed me by allowing her own family to become part of mine and by loving my family in return.

My friend Amber was sick, too.  But when I texted her, she just kindly answered my question.  She didn't act like I was a burden.  I didn't know she was sick till the next day.  She accepted but brushed off my apologies.  Sometimes that's what friends do for each other.

My friend Janece asked about me when I came back to work.  Then she kindly asked about our dog. She is not an animal lover, but she loves me enough to know that I love our Bella and that Bella's condition would surely be on my mind and heart.

My friend Dean asked about me.  After listening, he got busy laughing (and making me laugh) and just being normal.  He also brought me a chocolate-chocolate muffin. 

My friend Amy has 400,000,000 friends (give or take a few thousand).  That's because she's so lovable and funny and smart and good.  But when she's with me, she makes me feel like I am the most special and important friend she has.  I'm pretty certain all of her friends think they are the most special and important, but they must be wrong.

My best friend Spencer came to work and took me to lunch.  We visited about a lot of different things.  Sometimes we were just quiet.  I know that Spencer has heartaches, too, so sometimes we just hold hands and help each other ache for a few minutes.  Sometimes one of us sleeps on the couch so the other can sleep without interruption.  Sometimes we leave kisses by putting a big "X" on the paper (also so the other person can sleep without interruption).  Sometimes we laugh till we can't breathe.  Sometimes we don't know what to do, but we know we'll do it together.

Vicky calls me "Honey."  I don't like it when strangers call me that, but when Vicky calls me "Honey," I think just maybe she really thinks I'm sweet.

When Karleen sees me, her eyes not only light up with delight, but sometimes she just looks relieved.  I imagine that I look the same way when I see her.  Karleen has been my sounding board on many occasions, and sometimes I just sit and listen to her.  Either way, I am blessed beyond measure.  She's been a mentor in many, many aspects of my life.

Carol always greets me with a hug and a sigh.  I think she cherishes me almost as much as I cherish her.   She laughs.  She simmers.  She cries.  We hug.  We share kleenex.  We laugh at people (but only if they really deserve it).  We thank Heaven for our quirky lives.

Mark randomly sends me pictures of his family.  He knows that I will get a kick out of seeing the kids grow and hearing of the accomplishments of his children.  I send him things, too, and I know he will celebrate my life with me.

Jen and I served together.  I have "presided" over her.  She's "presided" over me. We blend.  We work.  We laugh.  She is an example.  She is a peer.

Courtney saw some pictures of me (as a child) that my brother posted on FB.  Why?  I don't know.  But she told me I was cute.  Since she's in her early 20's and definitely adorable on many levels, I cherish that compliment.

Annette and Kim and Shana miss me and tell me so when I don't come to lunch.  It's nice to know that someone is thinking about you.

Some people are friends for the few minutes you know them.  They touch your life--often profoundly--during that season, and then they are gone.  Others are friends forever. 

Some friends are so much like you that you think you must have been raised in the same family on the other side of the veil.  Some friends are so different from you that you wonder how in the world you ever found common ground.

I am so thankful for friends!