When I entered the mini-hallways of Alvarez Elementary as a first grader, I was already behind the curve. I had attended kindergarten elsewhere, and consequently was assigned my future best friend as a guide. She let me follow her around the kid-sized classrooms, bathrooms, halls, and right into her life. We did everything together at school, and I tried to spend as many hours playing Barbie or My Little Pony at Sandra's house as I could. A friendship that would last forever, or at least until the end of the fifth grade.
But, three years later I came abruptly face to face with the fact that friendships don't always last forever. The last day of school, I sat sweating under the covered basketball courts. Sandra walked up to me and declared the end of our relationship. No explanation given, no closure for a nine-year old.
I still have not grown accustomed to the fact that some friendships are seasonal. I have accrued long lists of high school friends, college friends, camp friends, and Sylvan friends. And each time, the transition period has been difficult for me. This is not to say that I am perfect at keeping up or calling or mailing. Even as I participate in the slow unraveling (or quick) of the friendship, I am sad.
However, it has been wonderful to know and experience several friendships which I hope will be life-long. In fact, two of my childhood friends are coming to visit this week. Our friendship remained unscathed during college and singlehood, as frequent trips back home made for wonderful reunions. These days, we have tried to make a point of seeing each other once a year for a Girl's Weekend -- just to make sure our friendship doesn't go into retirement.
4 comments:
I envy your girl's weekend. All of my oldest friends are, of course, back east; it's just too far to get together for a weekend. Less than two years left though!
I completely understand. I STRUGGLE with this! I feel so guilty when I don't keep up with people. I often have to remind myself that they haven't kept up with me, either.
Wow Chica! You have been busy blogging. This entry makes me want to cry. I've been thinking alot about friendships myself. I was laying out by the pool yesterday and caught myself laughing out loud as memories came to me of the great times we have shared in our lives. The Lord has truly blessed you, Jamie and I with something truly unique and I am so thankful for that. I believe that our bond is so strong because we experienced and watched each other grow physically, mentally and spiritually. Can't wait to be with you all once more. Love Ya!
Wow! Great post, Elizabeth. I totally identify with what you are saying. I spent two weeks at this conference for people who are teaching third culture kids and had a great time getting to know a lot of them but I found myself wondering, "How long will I actually know these people?" "Is it worth investing?" I've been reading this book about the Disciples by John MacAruthur and he points out that even Jesus kind of had an inner circle in Peter, James, John and Andrew. They seem to have received more of his time and attention than others of his disciples. I guess I had never really thought about that before but it is encouraging to realize that it is impossible to hold everyone equally close.
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