We met up last night for dinner with a couple that I have known for - wow - probably 30 years. I worked with Linda at one of the companies I was at for a long time. She was /is my Avon lady. Since we lived on the same side of town, she and her husband, and hubby and I, would meet up every couple months for dinner. We hadn't met up since November, I think, due to the holidays. We finally got back together last night and had so much catching up to do. These are true friends; friends that love us unconditionally, and we them. It is a good thing for us to have those kinds of friends. My friend and I have shared many journeys with our children and spouses over the years. Many ups, and many downs.
Of course my one boss is my friend as well. I've talked about her often. With not seeing each other daiily as not going into the office, we do email back and forth M-F. We both have shared stories over the years and I have followed her to two different companies. She is an amazing woman and I love being part of her life. In fact, I have 'married' all three of her children! Yeah, we are that close. Yesterday she asked me if we had anything on the calendar to meet ... and thinking she meant 1:1 meetings, I said yeah, but I wasn't sure when. She goes, "no, I mean when we can MEET". LOL We've met 3-4 times since before Christmas in person. Usually with someone els e. One time we both took a vacation day and she drove to my house and picked me up, and we went up to Prescott for the day- to meet up with another friend and have lunch. We've met up with a couple other friends different times. So I got to looking at the calendar (she did say we need to meet up every 4-6 weeks!) and blocked out next Wednesday for us to meet up for breakfast at around the half-way point for us - it's 31 miles there from her house; 24 for me. And that's ok. We're both willing to drive it. Then I have us scheduled the first of every month, I think, for us to meet up and have brunch. We will have to move them around because of her meeting schedules, but it will be fun to plan ahead to spend time together. Making memories as we do so. She is such an encouragement and such a blessing to me.
I have other friends too, in fact, this Saturday I will meet up with several friends that I meet with once a month to crochet or knit. I know when we met in December I wasn't 'feeling it' too much - but I had a lot on my mind and a lot going on. I'm ready to meet up with my friends this month. It's about the only time I see them, now. Some I have known for years.
It's always good to have friends. Some friends are long-standing friends that you know will be there for you through thick and thin. Others are casual friends, you enjoy being with them, but you aren't knit together in heart. And that's ok. Everyone doesn't need to be your 'best friend'.
But even more important, are we the kind of friend that everyone needs - and wants? Are we there for them when they need to talk? Do we show empathy when they are distracted? Do we listen to their hearts when they share things, even though they make light of it? Are we the type of friend that we would want them to be for us? Are there changes in how we think about them that we need to make?
Every one, every person, is loved by God. Even you. It doesn't matter what you have done, God still loves you. And He still loves them. We may need to step back from a relationship with them, but we can still be friends. I have some people like that in my life, I must admit. And it could be they think that of me as well. We can be nice, we can be with them, but to pick up the phone and say 'let's get together'.... naw, that probably won't happen.
I know hubby has a friend that he is constantly on me to have him and his wife over for a visit. I like hubby's friend, but I"m not close to his spouse and I must admit, I am dragging my feet to invite them over. Perhaps when it warms up and we can sit outside for a bit, I will give in. Hubby is on me about it nearly constantly, so I know I will have to give in at some point. I know we need to invite people over, but I want people I enjoy being with and don't feel out of sorts with. Didn't I just talk about this the other day? About having people over? Oops - my bad! I guess I need to start with ME.
Hubby meets with some of his friends every week, and now that he has joined a Bible study at a church nearby, he is making more friends. Part of me is jealous.... I have to work while he gets to have fun and learn and study and be with people. I'm sitting in the bedroom of the house aned chained to a computer from 7AM - 4PM most days.
BUT - the HOA had a 'meet and greet' yesterday afternoon from 3-5PM in our community yard behind the house. Hubby went out at 3PM, and believe it or not, I went out after I signed out of work and met some of our neighbors. They seem nice enough. Even the neighbor behind us who turned us in for planting flowers behind our house and we had to pull them out of the ground. LOL Remember that story? See, he just didn't know how nice we were when he did that. He even took photos of it! Oh well, not going to hold grudges. Oh, and of course I am the only one still working of the entire group.
So I have made new 'friends'.... I probably have a lot more friends that I give myself credit for. Just because I don't see them frequently, doesn't mean they aren't friends. When I can focus on it, I make friends easily. I love people and I love being around people. If I ever get to quit this job, I will have to find at least a part-time job to get out in the public so I can be with people. I just couldn't sit at home day in and day out and do nothing. I'd have to volunteer somewhere or work somewhere. That's just me.
I watched my mother quit living as she got older. Oh she had her ceramics for awhile, but when she quit it, she quit being involved with people, except when they traveled to Florida. I don't want to be like that. I want to live until I die. That is my goal, my heart-dream. My older sister has medical issues, but she has become our mother in that she stays in her apartment and doesn't go out. She says most of her friends have died, so she is just waiting to die. And eventually she will. Without living. I don't want to be like that.
What about you? Who are the people you consider friends? Do you have people in your life that you can call on when you just need to talk? Are you the type of person someone could reach out to - to just listen to their heart when they need to share? Can you share your joys and concerns with others? Or do you just hold them in? Perhaps you, too, need to re-evaluate who you are in reality, and who do you have around you....
I need to reach out to others and be their friend, as much as I need them to be mine. It doesn't mean we have to be 'close' friends, but someone who can be there when needed. Yeah, I can say Jesus is always there for us - and He is.... but sometimes He will give us other people to be near us when we need them. He's still there, but when we don't keep our heart focused on Him, He waits in the background.
Be that friend today - reach out to someone you haven't talked to in awhile. Let them know you are thinking of them. Who needs that phone call, that letter, today?
Blessings!
