Pooh and Piglet. Copper and Todd. Scooby and Shaggy. Batman and
Robin. Han Solo and Chewbacca. Dawson Leary and Joey Potter. Ruth and Naomi.
David and Jonathan. Rachel, Monica, and Phoebe. Kevin Arnold and Paul Pfeiffer.
Laverne and Shirley. Frodo and Sam. Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer. Harry Potter, Ron
Weasley, and Hermione Granger.
What do all of these have in common? Nothing - except the fact
that they have some pretty sweet friendships. What is a friend? Well, the
dictionary tells me it is a person attached to another by feelings of affection,
or personal regard.
“A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same.” –
Elbert Hubbard
I've really been reflecting on my friendships lately. I'm
incredibly thankful for each and every one of them. One of the neatest things
that happened to me in the past 5 or so years, is that my friendships have
really broadened. Some of my dearest friends are 10-15 years older/younger than
me. For the longest time, most of my friends were within 5 years of my age.
Honestly, I was only cheating myself. Now, there is obviously a time in our
lives that such a large age difference would place you as someone's babysitter
or vice versa. But then there comes a point when age doesn't seem to matter.
When you form a strong bond with someone – age is irrelevant.
One thing I love about having friends who are older than me is
that they can give me life advice. Chances are, they’ve been there and done it
and can tell me all about it. If I fall down, they can help me up and wipe my
wounds because they may have experienced the same pain. It is also one of the
joys of having younger friends, because I can do the same for them.
I’ve formed some strong bonds of friendships over things like
music, love of cloth diapering, faith, and parenting. Then there are the
friends who just get you. They are a rare and precious gem. You have found your
“anam cara”or your soul friend. My dear friend Sarah, taught me the Gaelic
phrase that describes our friendship perfectly. I’ve been blessed with a few
soul friends. Even though some of them
may not be nearby anymore, I still love them the same.
“There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my
friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature.” –
Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey
“Two are better than one because they
have a good return for their hard work. If
either should fall, one can pick up the other. But how miserable are those who
fall and don’t have a companion to help them up!” – Ecclesiates 4:9-10, CEB
Friendships are an amazing thing. I
honestly cannot imagine my life without my home girls. Laughing hysterically.
Singing at the top of your lungs. Tears of sorrow and joy. Hugs. Texts.
Crafting. Advice. Praying. Just simply being. All of these things are wonderful
parts of friendships, if you allow yourself to be vulnerable. You don’t have to
be in constant contact with these friends. Friendships as an adult look
different than as a child. It took me awhile to understand that. As your enter
different stages in your life, you recognize this. You appreciate that special
time and savor it.
“It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to
be stupid with them” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Another important thing, I’ve learned is that you may have friends
in different seasons of your life. Sometimes you and your friend are in
different seasons, but you always have that special love for your sweet friend.
True friends are the ones who understand those seasons and are always happy to
see you or hear from you.
Good friends are blessings from the Lord. Be thankful for them.
Reach out to those special friends this week and let them know how much they
mean to you.
“The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and
incense.”- Proverbs 27:9, NLT
Peace out my dear friends.
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