I ordered pumpkin spice pancakes, and she ordered a Denver omelet.
We talked about the same things we have been talking about for over twenty-three years: love lost and found, secrets and success, expectations and actuality. There's comfort in that, the pattern of expected conversation sprinkled with legions of inside jokes.
I told her I love people, but what the heck is wrong with community? She nodded. She told me life turned out different than she expected. I understood.
Snow fell outside. The kind of snow that takes the old and ordinary and turns it beautiful. It's silly to think snow blankets all transgressions and believes in second chances, but I know it to be true.
Forks pushed food around full plates, and waitresses forced jokes with cranky customers. Then, we snuck away and exchanged gifts in the car. She spent too much, as usual.
We talked about the same things we have been talking about for over twenty-three years: love lost and found, secrets and success, expectations and actuality. There's comfort in that, the pattern of expected conversation sprinkled with legions of inside jokes.
I told her I love people, but what the heck is wrong with community? She nodded. She told me life turned out different than she expected. I understood.
Snow fell outside. The kind of snow that takes the old and ordinary and turns it beautiful. It's silly to think snow blankets all transgressions and believes in second chances, but I know it to be true.
Forks pushed food around full plates, and waitresses forced jokes with cranky customers. Then, we snuck away and exchanged gifts in the car. She spent too much, as usual.
In long ago days, I collected friends like some collected cute shoes or concert stubs or Precious Moments. *Side note: Does anyone else find those little figurines of pale children in random outfits and bubble baths strange? Sorry, Precious Moments lovers.
Today, I count myself privileged when forever friends drive long distances to eat greasy food and chat it up.
A man with many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Psalm 18:24
Tell me where you are with your friendships lately. Do you have a friend you are especially thankful for? Do you make time for friends or are they hard to squeeze into the busyness of life?
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16 comments:
What a sweet picture, Amy. Friends have become more important to me as I get older. I used to think I did not need girlfriends and now I cherish them. Speaking of, let's meet when the weather gets warmer. Surely there is a place between your place and mine where they sell good coffee :)
I love it. I have a friend, we've been besties since I was 14. She's in PA, and we were supposed to meet up over the holiday, but her kid got sick. So when her husband made it home, she drove 45 minutes to exchange presents and visit for 13 minutes, only for her to have to drive 45 minutes back home. We usually go for breakfast. Chocolate chip pancakes, no whipped cream, for us both :)
I do not know how I would do life without Ethel. I honestly do not.
Fading movie stars--perfect description. I know a few of those. And, yes, it does seem a blanket of white can cover over a multitude of transgressions. And this from a woman who doesn't even like snow.
my very best girlfriend is my twin sister. like nancy said of ethel - i do not know how i would do life without her. we're 3 hours distance from each other, but of course there's speed dial. sometimes four times a day! other friends, kind of come and go with circumstances. and i hate that, really. means i don't make time or don't have time - either one is kind of unacceptable.
Oh, your writing shines here and so does the friendship you've captured. Goodness knows, I'd never make it through this crazy journey without a few God-sent girlfriends. I think I've been gifted more than my fair share of lovelies- the kind that know my heart and still stick with me, the kind that spur me on to love Jesus more and do both crazy and quiet things because of Him. One of my sweetest gifts, Kelly, is moving to Honduras next week. We got married on the same day, ate Hamburger helper together in married housing at University, had babies, laughed and cried through the sleep deprived years together and played too many games of Pitch to count (cheap entertainment that's rich with a good friend). I love the way she's radically following the Savior to minister to the lost in Honduras, but oh, how I'll miss our prayer times, our coffee dates, and the sheer chaos created when we combine our kids and count eleven bodies racing through the house. Can't wait to see how God keeps our lives twined despite the distance. And, dear Amy, I hope some day we get to meet face to face- 'cause I count you a gift, too!
Aw, Sue! I love Sue, and I love hearing about your mom. I'm trying to picture the restaurant, too :) I so wish I wasn't closed off in relationships, something to work on, though I'm definitely not a collector of friendships. A few solid, trusted friends is enough, and those I do have? I'm not planning on letting go. Love your love for others. And, I love you :) Always thankful you're among the few I call friend.
I have such a hard time with friends. I try, truly I do. But I can almost never reach the level of true friendship... or what to me would be true friendship. I used to think the problem lay with the other person but have come to find that it is more with my and my ability, because of deep hurts in my life, to really open up fully with other people. A lack of trust. I have 'friends', but no one who is really that deep, deep friend. It makes me sad and is something I pray about often... that God would change me so that I could offer that kind of friendship to someone or that he would send someone into my life who needs me, as I am, as a friend.
Love those two girls!
The friends for whom I'm most thankful are those who have become family. Ones like this, whom you've described.
Wow -- that mom quote is awesome. And I love how you characterized your friendship. I don't know how I would do life with out Jenny. I thank God for her everyday.
Ohhh, I love hearing your stories of friendship...
Ann,
Even though everyone seems to be gushing about important friendships here, I think we have all felt the same way you do at one time or another. Praying God brings a true friend to you, one in which you can share all the highs and lows of this crazy life together. Don't stop putting yourself out there.
I have two close friends and the three of us have made a priority to try to get together at least once a month. We chat in between. I love friends that are tried and true, no matter what friends. It's easy to let friendships slide but truth is we need each other more than we know.
i work extra hard at friendships...i think because there was a time in my life when i was a horrible friend and spent most of the time pushing people away
I missed this post cause I was off chaperoning the next generation of youth at a conference. I.am.still.tired!
Loved this--"sprinkled with inside jokes". Yep, that is how you know that you go way back with someone.
Love the pic of you and Sue!
Interesting... "I collected friends like some collected cute shoes..."
As I pass by my collection of photo Christmas cards from a bunch of people we don't ever get together with to chat it up, I think too - this seems more like prideful census taking than a celebration of friends... it's a weird feeling. Like it's showy to display them and rude to not.
Anyway, you asked about friendship, not about my Christmas Card neurosis...
I was just making a list of people I'd like to have over for a home party, and the list is short. ... and I'm kind of okay with that.
There are close friends who we really get that deep fellowship with, and then there are acquaintances - the 'hi how are you?' friends that cross our minds once in a while (or not at all)
I think I'm rambling now, so I'll stop.
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