Old Friends

I think I have said this before, but I want to say it again.  I so appreciate my friends.  It never ceases to amaze me at the longevity of many of my relationships.

Being involved in the community, gets you out into groups of like minded people.  Whether it is church, or a group supporting a certain cause, or even your job,  you can make friends that last.  I am always encouraged when I can pick up a relationship that has been on hold for several years, and just dive right in.  Sometimes, our lives get busy, or we move, and we loose touch.  True friends can renew those friendships over lunch, catch up, get busy again, renew the friendships, catch up, get busy again… and not feel jolted.  My hairdresser is an old friend who I found after being apart for several years.  Now, we keep up when I get haircuts.  I am blessed with many old friends in the community.

Unfortunately, there are many people who feel that they are abandoned if you do not stay in touch, or worse, you do not stay in their group.  I am sure there are many people out there who feel I have left them at one time or another.  My best friends, are those who I stay friends with even if I am not in constant contact.  Hopefully we can all be that kind of friend, not dependent on what we get out of it, but there for the person when they need us.  There are many life circumstances that can separate us from the best of friends, and then bring us back together at a later time.

Groups of like-minded people are a great way to develop these friendships.  Church is the obvious place to meet like-minded people, and most of my friends share this most precious bond.  Community groups are a great place to find similarities in life.   At our last Search-Finders of Idaho meeting, we laughed about how long we had known each other.  As our relationships with our birth families have progressed, we have shared this part of our lives with others who understood.  At the Treasure Valley Down Syndrome Association, we have raised our children together, and shared the ups and downs of life that comes along with raising kids.  I am grateful for all these groups in the community.

My friends, new and old, you know who you are…  thank you for your friendship.