Time and distance have a way of overtaking friendship, not that they are lost forever, life has just taken you down different roads. Friendships that played a vital role in my life at one time have been reduced to Christmas cards and sporadic e-mails. I have had friends that I dearly love come in and out of my life so many times that I'm loosing count. When they walk out I'm always left wondering if the pain of seeing them go was worth the time spent with them. I know in my heart that it is; I cherish those moments of talking, eating, shopping, laughing, dancing, but I find myself resentful of the fact that they are now just memories. I know that I can't chase down everyone and make them stay the same, but sometimes I wish I could.
I received a book, in the mail, from a dear friend of mine that I haven't seen in a long time. As I was reading it, crying my eyes out, I realized that what makes this moment so special to me is that I love the giver. I know her even though I haven't seen her in years, I have history and memories with her that I won't ever forget. We are connected by friendship, and tonight as I read that book I realized that time and distance can't take that away. Even though we aren't walking next to each other on our journey right now, I remember a time when we were, and it was sweet.
Thanks for all the memories E, and by the way, I LOVE the book!!!
5 comments:
Sweet lady, some friends come for a season, some for a lifetime. Those that are for a season are still sweet and their memories linger forever. Sometimes they'll reappear into your life only to leave again. When they do reappear the memories you have together help you to reconnect and then you're able to make new memories.
At Lizzie's bridal shower I saw friends that I've lost contact with. For years we did life together, now we don't but the sweet memories I have will always make them dear friends to me. And YES, the time you have together is definitely worth the pain of loss when your paths head in different directions. You never know when God may bring your paths together once again.
I'm so glad E mailed you that book. I know it made you very happy knowing that she was thinking of you. Even though miles and years separate you she will always be your dear friend.
I'm not sure why the first comment was deleted. I just got on and saw that it was... just so everyone knows it wasn't me that deleted it. if I were technically savvy I could probably figure it out, but alas I'm me, and that means I go through life with very little technical know-how.
Ju:
It was me who deleted my comment. Only because I was doing a test to try to figure out my password. (I never can remember it) When I go to post my long comments...they end up never making it because I can't remember my password!! I finally did, but just wrote one sentence (lame-o). Anyways, I deleted it and started to write back, but then home church showed up and I didn't get back to it. Sorry! I was going to say.... I can totally relate to what you said and I think it is a universal problem that everyone deals with. Life continues to go on and people come and go and then come back again. Life was so simple when we were kids! As we get older, life becomes more complicated and our circumstances, situatuions and demands dictate our paths. All this to say, the retreat this year was especially fun for me because I got to spend time with you. The past couple years have been so sweet for me to reconnect with your sisters (sister-in-law too) and laugh about us being silly kids. Gretchen, almost monthly, reminds me that she was never invited to go to Esprit and get matching outfits! Let's plan a fun night(sisters too) and laugh :)
My friend. You and Gretch--and the years and fun we shared--are always with me. Our lives have blossomed--all of us--in lovely, unforeseen directions (though I suspect your Dad knew something of this when he urged me to go away and "do what I love, and that my own life would take shape for me then"). But I read your blog, or Gretchen's Christmas letter, and laugh out loud and worry your travels, and wish I knew your babies better. And I insist that my own children refer to you as Aunties, and Mike knows all our stories and misadventures, and I miss and love you. And I KNOW that the life I've made--my marriage, work, parenting, and politics--are all richer for the time and perspective and love you and your family shared with me.
I sent the book because it's about joy, and you have been at the center of so much joy in your life. Look around, sweet Julie, and you'll see it--write it down, document it daily, celebrate it as a discipline, and you will find that it works on you.
XO
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