Friday, December 21, 2012

A Friendship Quote And Thought

“Some come and leave, fulfilling a single purpose; others, for a time or a season to teach us by sharing their experiences; and last, a select few who participate forever with relationships that endure through eternity.”

Around the time of my senior year in high school, I made the acquaintance of an unlikely person in one of my classes.   This particular person, by all accounts, was one of the (if not THE) smartest person in our small 625+ student high school.  On the other hand, you had me.  I actually was a pretty good student during my senior year  (above 3.20 GPA throughout) and even becoming the student of the month at one point.  Yet, I saw myself as more of a jock.  After all, I did garner four athletic awards through my high school career. 

This acquaintance would be my "best friend" for many years.  I would call this friend to talk about anything and everything.  Even I had some local friends I hung out with as well, I always returned to my "best friend" from high school even though the friend resided in Massachusetts.  

This all changed about eight years or so ago.  I felt my needs weren't being met and a rift developed.  Without getting into the gory details, the long standing friendship broke.  I was pretty bitter and upset over it.  

However, as the years have gone on, I have realized the split was probably the best for both my friend and I.  My friend had done a lot for me and it was our time to move on to bigger and better things.  I was a little too young to realize it. 

But now that it's a few years later, I fully realize the split was good for me as well.  Instead of focusing on someone thousands of miles away, I have cultivated many local friends, many of whom I have known for years. 

I've got a few friends I can talk to regularly and things are much better  While I would like to say my current friends will be my friends in the years to come, I fully understand that changes will come.   In fact, a funny story I want to share. 

One of my old friends from college recently had a baby.  We used to talk semi-regularly but with the baby, things have been difficult.  Then all of a sudden, an old online friend from years back popped back into my life.  We talked last weekend for a little while.  

To me, I realized that friendships can last a long time but you'll have to ride through different things throughout the years.  Sometimes when a person steps away, another person will step right in.  

It took me years to realize this but it has made me understand that there is always people there for you.  You just have to be open to them.  

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