Friendship!

Today, I had an appointment with my friend. We laugh that it is so much cheaper than real therapy! She makes a mean latte too...and always gives me my blue mug!

I've been reading Joanne Heim's book Living Simply and it's caused me to muse on friendships in my life. It is interesting to observe that I've always been somewhat of a loner in my way. I have been friendly with all (even now I have a million happy acquaintances) but only have maybe a handful of close friends. JH brought my mind back to Avonlea where Anne and Diana are "bosom friends" and "kindred spirits." I don't think I've ever had one person that fit that role. Maybe in my husband I find that kindred spiritness but not among women. I generally find women...especially in large groups to be trying! That's the nice way to put it...catty, divisive, cliquish...are other descriptive words. I'm very direct...maybe that's why. I've never been into the high emotion, girly girlness. I'd rather just tell it like it is. I was raised to not exclude anyone...and among girl groups that was seldom normal behavior. As an adult it is easier...but not everything changes.

I've been happy to watch my kids starting to be friends. They are close in age (22 months) and many people have promised me they'll be close. They are just now starting to play together. Granted they aren't always great at sharing but sometimes...they really play. They are friends! This just thrills me! It took me a long time to develop a friend relationship with my own brother...we are about 10 years apart in age...and I know it means a lot to me now! JH reminds us to model friendship for our kids. Do they see us making time for people? Do they hear us care for our friends?

Facebook is a very interesting measure of friendship over the years. Not to get too warm and fuzzy but it has meant a lot to me. Having high school friends that I'd all but forgotten, find me and renew friendship. Having past third graders willingly keep me in their lives as a friend...more than just a teacher. Seeing college friends expand their families and advance their futures. It's neat and surprising.

Friendship means a lot to me.

"As iron sharpens iron, so a woman sharpens the countenance of her friend." Proverbs 27:17