So why did I not connect and take advantage of time in our friendship earlier? I was always friends with them, but didn't realize what I had until later. Thankfully, not too late.
One friend, once an elementary teacher alongside me at the same school, was much more of an acquaintance at the time. She has the same birthday, each of our only child has the same birth month, we both read the same books at the same time unknowingly, and all the tiny nuances come up anytime I connect with her as I learn our parallel lives are continuing, even from a distance of about 1500 miles. We are both trying to have a second child and having a difficult time doing so. But through the tragedy of trying, we are connecting on a much stronger level. We both realize through IMs and FB updates that we are living basically the same life in two separate cities.
Another friend is not parallel to my life, but her comments and posts are not only hilarious but exactly my line of thinking. In college we hung out and enjoyed spending time together, but our appreciation for each other only began when we communicated more from 600 miles apart than 600 feet from dorm rooms. When I was pregnant, I learned that she and I were due 2 days apart. (Her pregnancy is still ongoing, unfortunately I lost my little girl a few months ago.) But through reconnecting, I find my friendship with her much stronger than initially thought.
People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.
When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes t hey act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.
Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
Although this is very true, it misses a point: the parallel/overlooked friendships, the ones that you miss in the moment and understand to be solid, healthy, and long lasting. These are the friendships that you don't force and also don't ignore. The ones that wait in the wings growing, then bloom when you pay attention to them. These are the ones that you are thankful for as they are, yet wish that you could be closer to in proximity.
To the friends whom I overlooked in the past or in the present, I cannot wait to reconnect. To re-learn how important you are to me. You are an understood friend whom I value as much, if not more, to the ones I am in physically near. I can only hope distance is no factor when it's our re-connecting time.
