An Ode to Friends

While I may grumble and complain about the trouble spots of life, there is one area that I know beyond a doubt that I am beyond blessed.

Friendship.

I’ve always had best friends, and I never knew that was a rare thing. Throughout my life, I can count a few people who have been there for me for years. Not just a season. I’m talking relationships that spanned on average beyond a decade. I’m shaking my head now in wonder.

Now, I assure you. It is not because of my sparkling personality. Yeah, I’m funny and a good listener, but when you really get to know me, I’m moody as hell, shockingly stubborn, and selfish. Yet, I’ve managed to attract loyal friends.

Many I met through school. I had one who lived down the street from me. We rode the bus together. That friendship lasted us into our 20s. Still to this day, I’m not sure why or how things came undone, but they did as these things sometimes do. The irony is that as that friendship faded out, I was meeting new people who, at the time, I had no idea would impact the next leg of my journey. A single moment of saying yes to moving in with a friend of a friend became a life-changing choice. I had unwittingly met the one who would introduce me to others, and together we’d be our own little gang. We’d be single together, meet our spouses, raise our kids, and now I can say we are officially growing old together.

And that’s not even all of it. There are others who I lean on. No matter the distance—from Florida and Virginia, all the way to California and Seattle—we find each other. Thank God we live in an age of digital communication. I can virtually ride into work with my friend or drop by someone’s office for a quick chat. Even in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep, I can reach out to someone who will talk and pray with me.

I know this seems like a weird topic for a blog, but I just needed to say it. Out loud. I need to show my gratitude for the wonderful gifts I’ve been given. There’s so much hate in this world, and we all witnessed it this weekend. We can’t seem to agree on solutions, but there’s one thing. In the midst of the chaos and cruelty, we can look to those who are on this path with us, hold their hand, and be thankful we’re not doing this alone.

You know, for my children, I haven’t spent much time praying for their future respective spouses. I pray for their future friends. I dream of their tribe. It’s those who we claim as our family that can make all the difference in our journey. They build us up when we’re down and call us home when we’re lost. That’s what I have. That’s what I pray for my kids. It’s what I hope for you as well.

~Jennifer.