Friends

I know this is going to sound sappy, but Husband and I have been blessed with wonderful friends. Being a military family, we have friends all over the globe (literally!) and are truly thankful for each and every one. There are lots of friends that we don't get to talk to or see as often as we would like to, but that doesn't mean that we care for them any less.

I have a friend that used to live next door to me. She put out a fire inside my house while I stood outside panicked. Enough said.

I have a friend that I grew up with. We literally grew up just a couple of houses down the street from each other. We have known one another longer than we have known our own siblings. Even after 25 years of knowing each other and living in opposite ends of the country, we still talk on a regular basis. We have grown up. Boyfriends have come and gone, jobs have changed, moves have been made, husbands have come along, babies have been born, but we are still friends... and I love it!

Husband and I have friends that we met when we were stationed at our first duty station. They were a little further along in life (not older!). While it was just Husband and I (and the dog, of course) they had 2 kiddos with another one to join the family soon. When She friend went into labor with kidlet #3, Husband and I went to stay with the older 2. Wow! To let 2 people with no children care for their 2 children... that's trust (or foolishness on their part- you decide which!). Between our families there have been more moves than one would care to count. But whenever possible, we make the effort to spend time together. Our lives have all changed dramatically... illness, moves, job changes, moves, adding more children to the mix, moves... yet we still remain friends.

My family meets with a group of people each week to "do life" together. We are able to get to know one another as both individuals and as couples. When things are tough, we are able to pray for one another and encourage one another. When things are going well, we are able to be celebrate together. These are the type of friends that lend you a car while yours is in the shop. These are the type of friends that will take care of your children while your husband is having surgery so that you don't have to worry a bit about them. These are the type of friends that offer to take your children after your husband has surgery so that you can have a break! These are the type of friends that feel comfortable enough with you to ask how the stud stays in your nose and then follow up with the question of weather or not boogers stick to it. Now how's that for friendship?

I have a friend that I went to high school with, whom my husband dated, and that I shared an apartment with in college. We too, have remained friends over the years. Are we as close as we used to be? No, life changes things. (Not living in the same house really can change how often people see one another!) But does that mean that I love her any less or think of her less than daily? Certainly not.

Sitting at dinner tonight, with some of our friends, I was overcome with gratitude. I have been blessed with truly wonderful people in my life. I have friends who love and care for me. I have a husband who loves me with every fiber of his being and is so much more than I ever dreamed of. I have children who adore me and look up to me and really are the sweetest little people I have ever met (even though they are on the stinker list occasionally!). I have a family that loves and supports not only me as part of their flesh and blood, but my Husband and children, just as if they were their own. I have a God who loves me so much that He truly gave ALL just for me... so that I could have the life that I don't deserve.

I hope that in my life I can be a friend to someone- even just one someone- that will be able to make a difference in their life as much as just one of the wonderful people in my life has for me.