Thankful for friendships

My life has changed a lot over the years. When I was young I always had a “best” friend.

• First it was Kenny Jackson.

But it was more of a budding romance than a straight best friend. We’d hide under the porch, share secrets and steal kisses and make the occasional walk to the corner soda fountain and share a 5₵ soda. I was 4 years old at the time.

• Next it was Betty who lived next door and with whom we shared a party line (you younger ones reading this, ask your parents or grandparents).

But while it was great living next door to your best friend when you are 6 years old, her aunt lived below her and had the most evil demonic dog of all time! And my fear level went way down when I no longer had to go next door as I grew and our friendship changed.

• In 3rd grade it was Bernadette, Bernie for short.

My oldest sister was good friends with her sister so that was convenient. We’d call each other to make sure we wore the same skirt or top to school. We’d hang out in the park umbrellas and sometimes climb as high as we could up the clock tower. I loved her handwriting and tried to copy it, but failed miserably.

• Middle school is where I met Sharon who lived down the street.

We became fast friends and I sort of blended in to her large family. The years have flown by, but we still have an easy comfortable fellowship whenever we get together.

• In high school things changed to more group friends, although I was closest to Diane and Tommy

There were a bunch of us that hung out together – and it was lots of fun. I always felt so inadequate and that Diane was so beautiful that people were really only being friends with me because I was her friend. Friends like Tommy and Bob and Billy and Sue made high school so much more than just bearable!

• In college the 1 person who had the most profound affect on my life was Sharron.

She opened my eyes and heart to the truths of salvation and I will forever be grateful!

• And then for the next 8 years, another Dianne was my best friend.

We were roommates for 7 of those years. We visited one another’s homes for the holidays. I really felt (and still to some extent) that her family was MY family. I loved them all very dearly.

Again, I felt that most other people were friends with me because I was friends with Dianne. She was smart and funny and REALLY COOL! Cool was never a word I’d use to describe me but I felt cool-ish just being with Dianne! Dianne and I moved out west and had our share of adventures and finished up with rooming with sweet and totally fun friends Beverly and Evelyn – it was such a great time for me!

• After I got married, my female friendships changed.

I went through a long time of being friendless. After years of prayer, God brought Chelle to me. Chelle was the first person I ever met with the GIFT of friendship. She had the wonderful ability to make everyone feel they were her very best friends. There was nothing fake or phony about her – she was just a wonderful friend! Then God added Tami and Michelle and a dry friendless time bore a bounty of sweet girlfriends!

• Another move. And another Michelle.

We met as she and her family showed up to help us move in and our hearts were INSTANTLY knit together. It’s like we had always been friends and always would be. But, God added another sweet blessing to my life a loving friendship with Andrea. Our children played together and were friends for years. And then another kindred spirit in passion for ministry, Cathy. Those 4 years in ND were some of the sweetest I’ve ever known.

• Another move. This started a whole new phase in my life.

My closest friendships became online friends. Tamara was another kindred spirit friendship that started with a few e-mails back and forth one day and the birth of her online message board and she’s become one of the dearest friends of my life. I’ve had some lovely relationships these past 16 years, but mostly I’ve had the role of mentor rather than just friend. The women I’ve become closest to, the ones I can share my struggles and needs with have been women like Tamara and LisaR and Tracy and Tam. Some I’ve met, some I won’t until Glory, but my life has been blessed because of them.

And now, as I have entered the blogging world, I have met some women who I feel I’ve united my heart with almost immediately – one in particular being Jan.

So I am blessed and thankful for best friends. Some have faded over time, some were only for a season. All have touched my life and changed me. Thank you, God, for companionship and kindred spirits to shine your love and unity of heart to your children!

Linking to:
Thankful Thursday, Proverbs 31 Thursdays, Hearts For Home Thursdays , Thought Provoking Thursday, First Day of My Life Thankful Thursdays, Thankful, Thankful Thursday Brown-eyed Bell(e), Show & Tell Saturday