OLD FRIENDS

This morning I was driving the kids to school and we began talking about experiences from our past. My children are still young, and there's several times people will go up to them and say the famous "Do you remember me?" Growing up I always felt bad when I didn't remember that person. It's interesting to now watch my children look at these adults, who have such fond memories of my little babies, and be so confused by who they are. As we drove to school, I was able to share a few special memories with them.

This drive's conversation stirred up a few memories of my own. I was left remembering friendships that were in my life for only a season, friendships that made a huge impact on my life. One in particular, is a friend of mine who I worked with for many years while teaching dance at my family's studio. This friend is always so full of joy, her hugs warmed my heart and her ability to understand me was something I valued significantly. Since the closing of our studio, I haven't had much time with this old friend and as the time continues to pass I feel the distance as it naturally grows stronger. 

A younger self would be so heartbroken by the distance in this relationship, but now I'm left with a different mindset. I understand that the strength of some relationships only last for a certain season and that is OK. In the past, I felt that a loss of relationship meant something negative. Now, when I think about certain situations I'm left with a more positive outlook. 

When an old friend comes up to my children and says "Do you remember me?" It's because they have fond memories of the past. My children don't always remember them, because that was a friendship or a relationship from a prior season, but on one end or the other there are these beautiful memories that were made.

It's important to hold on to beautiful memories from the past and to grow through the lessons each relationship has to teach. It's important to find the value each unique experience offers. This isn't always easy, and distance between old friends can be difficult to process, but the beauty is in knowing that although there may be a distance in moments together, the love there is between old friends can never be replaced. 

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Proverbs 17:17 (ESV) A friend loves at all times