Friends

I just said goodbye to two friends. One I've known since the early '80s, but hadn't seen in about 15 years. The other I met once 4 years ago, and then again in Vegas and again here in Colorado. Friends are the best thing about getting older. They mean more to me now than they did when I was younger. Not that I didn't love them when I was younger, but the benefit of a 'few' years puts a different spin on relationships. The relationships are deeper and more meaningful, even if we don't see each other very often. My women friends are some of the most fantastic people I know. We help each other out through hard times and celebrate the good times. We know each other well. We have fun together, we laugh together, and we've cried together through various tragedies that have befallen us. I have a work-related group of friends, a dog-related group of friends, and others that I've picked up along the road.

Since this journey began, I've heard from people I haven't talked to in years. They have bridged the gap of years between us to pray for me, send me good mojo, and just check in to see how I'm doing. They have offered to help with anything within their means or power. It means the world to me--more than any of them can ever know.

Some friends have come and gone from my life--not always by my choice--and I've struggled to understand the lessons. Sometimes the lessons are hard. I can look back and see now why certain people were in my life for even a short time. I needed them at that time or maybe they needed me, or we needed each other. Others have come in and out of my life at various times, yet it's not awkward. We pick up where we left off. It's amazing to look back on each relationship, no matter how long or short, and see what the value was or still is.

I've learned a lot about friendship. I've learned that I haven't always been a great friend, or even a good friend. I've learned that part of friendship is giving up some of my own selfishness. That I can be truly happy for someone even if I'm a tad envious. Because it's not all about me (especially since the wedding is over). I think I've learned to be a good friend over the years, and I know that I can still strive to become an even better one.